‘ SHRINKING VAT WILL STOP FURTHER REDUNDANCIES AND HELP TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON’

LUKE HERSHESON, OWNER OF FIVE SALONS IN LONDON, EMPLOYING 150 STAFF

As it stands: Pre-covid, we were enjoying our highest turnover to date. Since reopening in July, my income has dropped by 80 per cent at our blow dry bars, which are directly linked to people going out.

What we need: The margins in hairdressing are as slim as those in the hospitality sector – shrinking VAT will have an immediate effect on the cash flow of every hairdressing business in the UK, stopping further redundancies and helping to keep the lights on.

NICOLA CLARKE, RUNS NICOLA CLARKE AT JOHN FRIEDA, EMPLOYING 80 STAFF AT TWO SALONS

As it stands: I am 40 per cent down in revenue because we are working at half capacity and doing all we can do to keep people safe. Some people are still worried about making the journey to salons despite great feedback from how the hair industry is tackling social distancing and sanitisation. What we need: We would like to see a commitment to a 15 per cent reduction in VAT. We are trying our best to keep going and can mitigate the risks, but the drop in revenue is drastic.

JOHN VIAL, OWNER OF SALON SLOANE IN LONDON, EMPLOYING 15 STAFF

As it stands: As a salon owner, I tread water daily. My rent is expensive, and the drop in hospitality is directly impacting our business. Many clients are choosing to only highlight and colour the front of their hair – as they are only seen head-on on Zoom.

What we need: It seems only fair and decent to extend the VAT reduction to hairdressers given that the downturn in hospitality has impacted our business. We are down in trade on average 40 per cent.

JOSH WOOD, OWNER OF EPONYMOUS SALON IN LONDON, EMPLOYING 75 STAFF

As it stands: According to a survey of 1,000 of our clients, over a third have not returned to salons in the UK yet since lockdown. Despite social distancing measures reducing capacity and increasing our costs, we have received no extra support. What we need: Hair salons have been ravaged by the impact of lockdown and we need to be part of the reduced VAT rate. Salons are doing their bit to keep clients safe and it feels time for the Government to do its bit and keep the industry afloat.

JOSH MILLER, OWNER OF FIVE SALONS IN EDINBURGH, EMPLOYING 120 STAFF

As it stands: When we reopened in July, we had a tidal wave of appointments, but after that it has been quiet. Inner-city salons seem to be particularly hit, because so many people are working from home.

What we need: It is going to be tight for the next six months to a year. Hairdressing is less profitable than ever, as the overheads are so much. People are coming less often, not like in the Eighties when you had your hair done every four to six weeks.