The hair and beauty industry is petitioning the Government to grant business rates relief, mirroring recent concessions offered to the pub sector. Ministers are reportedly considering softening or postponing planned increases for pubs following significant campaigning. However, salons and barbershops, despite facing parallel economic pressures, have received no similar commitments.
The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) highlights the sector's substantial economic contribution, totalling £9 billion and employing over 275,000 individuals. Sam Silver of the NHBF points out that independent businesses in hair, beauty, and barbering face identical challenges to pubs, including escalating business rates, increased labour expenses, and operating costs within high-street premises. Unlike pubs, the sector also contends with a VAT threshold that impedes growth and generates less tax revenue for the Treasury.
Industry bodies have consistently warned that a confluence of rising business rates, National Living Wage hikes, soaring energy bills, and supply chain issues jeopardises numerous salons. Leaders advocate for equitable application of any business rates relief across all comparable high-street enterprises. As the Government deliberates its fiscal measures, the hair and beauty sector urges recognition as a vital component of the high-street economy, demanding inclusion in any support packages aimed at fostering business expansion and bolstering local communities.
