One in four beauty salons forced to close by Test and Trace alerts

One in four hair and beauty businesses have had to turn away customers as a result of Test and Trace notifications requesting self-isolation, a new poll by the National Hair and Beauty Federation (NHBF) has revealed.

Almost 30% of salons have faced staff shortages in the past month, while more than 80% are recording multiple cancellations every week,” the poll of 2,500 hair & beauty business showed.

The data highlighted the urgent need for greater financial support, NHBF Chief Executive Richard Lambert said.

“As it stands businesses get no financial aid for ‘doing the right thing’ by closing, and so we are calling on government to provide this support to save these salons from going out of business.

“The likelihood of being ‘pinged’ by test and trace is also likely to increase from 19 July until the rules change on 16 August and then that still only applies to those who have been doubly vaccinated.”

Lambert also called for greater clarity on when the new trial system of daily testing for five days (and being able to work as normal on each negative test day) was likely to be introduced.

“Our industry primarily employs those aged 16-44 so that includes a huge number who are not yet double vaccinated and are unlikely to be for several months,” he added.