Fate of thousands of beauty businesses hanging in balance as further restrictions loom

New Tier and Level 4 Covid-19 restrictions are set to cost hair and beauty businesses across the UK more than £124m a week in lost income, placing a “final nail in the coffin,” for many already struggling beauty salons and barbershops, the National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) has warned.

Almost all parts of England are now in the toughest Tier 4, with further announcements on restrictions in other parts of the UK expected to be made this afternoon.

Businesses in England stand to lose £98m a week, with £16m to be potentially lost in London alone which has an estimated 7,015 salons.

The stats come as the NHBF re-doubles its call for urgent and targeted financial support to help businesses recoup some of their losses and cover the costs of increased PPE and social distancing measures.

Emma Lynn, owner of Customised Beauty in Tier 4 East Molesey in Surrey, said: “Last year thousands of beauty salon and hairdressers closed their doors not to reopen again. That number is set to climb but we are determined not to be one of them.  

“We were only open for 16 days over the festive period but they were an amazing 16 days. After the announcement on 30 December, it has been made clear to us that we will not be able to open during January but we have our fingers crossed for the last half of February.”

The salon is offering 20% off all products which can be purchased online and ordered over the phone. E-vouchers can also be bought for later in the year and it is also offering 10% of all pre-booked treatment courses for the spring.