BUSINESSES ANGERED AND CONFUSED BY CLOSURES
NOTTS BEAUTY SALONS FACING TOUGHER RESTRICTIONS THAN IN OTHER TIER THREE AREAS
We’re trying to stay positive but there is concern for salon owners moving forward Lizzie Bath, Ye Olde Bell Spa
BEAUTY salon owners in Nottinghamshire have responded to the new restrictions of Tier Three forcing their businesses to close, and are calling for authorities to reconsider.
From one minute past midnight this mporning, Nottingham and all of the wider county will enter the Government’s “very high” alert area.
As well as baseline Tier Three restrictions seen in other parts of the country, local authorities announced on Wednesday night a list of further rules for Nottinghamshire – some of which have come as a shock to businesses.
The announvcement said: “Personal care settings such as tattoo parlours, tanning and nail salons, and piercing services must close
“Hairdressers and barber salons can remain open but cannot perform services that are otherwise closed.
“It is advised that personal care services do not take place in private homes.”
The Government website also has a list of prohibited services.
It reads: “Hairdressers and barbers salons are permitted to remain open. However, front-of-the-face treatments should not take place inside these premises.
“These include: face waxing, sugaring or threading services, facial treatments, advanced facial technical (electrical or mechanical), eyelash treatments, make-up application, dermarolling, dermaplaning, microblading, electrolysis on the face, eyebrow treatments, intricate detailing, outlining or shaving of beards, advanced beauty therapy and aesthetic treatments.
“Personal care services should not take place in private settings.”
Beauty salons have not closed in other Tier Three areas.
Sarah Clay, who owns the Lash Lounge Hair and Beauty Boutique in Beeston, received the news of the restrictions from a client.
The 38-year-old said: “I had back to back appointments all day Wednesday – it was only at the end I got a text that said ‘have you seen the news?’.
“It just seems very harsh – it’s even worse than the restrictions we had before.
“But I like many others have followed everything we have been asked to do – it’s just not good enough now.
“I have bookings until 9pm but will work until midnight if I have to because I’m not sure funding will cover our costs alone - especially not when we have been struggling anyway.”
Sarah said beauty treatments make up 75 percent of her business with services such as waxing and tanning which will now be stopped, while her mum Wendy Fletcher, an experienced hair stylist, can continue to work.
Having only set up the shop a year ago, Sarah said it has also been difficult to secure grants and funding.
She said after the initial lockdown a substantial amount of money was spent on PPE and now, “the pot is empty”.
But Sarah said she is determined to push the Government to reconsider its decision.
She said: “I have always been told to fight for what I believe in – why has no one at the council fought for us?
“I feel as though many of the people who have made these decisions may never have even been in a salon.
“My concern is will it be over in 28 days or will it just be reviewed?”
A petition set up by Sarah aiming to overturn the decision to close salons has gained nearly 500 signatures so far.
A fellow salon owner also feels the impact could be felt in the hair industry despite these services being able to continue.
Collette Osborne, owner of Hairven salons in Beeston and Gedling, said she hadn’t slept following the news on Wednesday night.
“I can’t believe we’re having these discussions again when no other city is,” she added.
“I was shocked, I expected more for Nottinghamshire. Authorities should have at least spoken to some of these businesses.
“Instead, we have had the rug pulled out from under us.”
Lizzie Bath, Spa Director at Ye Olde Bell in Retford, said: “The new measures contradict what has been put in place in other regions.
“We’re questioning what scientific evidence has led to the closure of sauna and steam rooms in Nottinghamshire only. They were deemed safe on October 1 so we are left asking what new evidence do they have?
“As a business we have put so many procedures in place to protect staff and customers.
“We are adapting to new restrictions and measures to ensure we follow all the guidelines and appreciate the situation is constantly evolving.
“We’re trying to stay positive but there is concern for independent businesses and salon owners moving forward, it’s hard to plan when the goalposts keep moving.”