‘We’re not out of the woods yet’: Northampton hairdresser backs national ‘Save our Salons’ campaign

A hair salon owner from Northampton is backing a national campaign to try and prevent salons from suffering long term, financial damage following three lockdowns.

Julia Hensman, owner of Hensmans in Abington Square, believes that thousands of salons are at risk of collapse if the tax on hair service providers is not reduced.

The Save our Salons campaign is supporting hairdressers to contact their local MP - which Julie has already done - to lobby for VAT to be temporarily cut from 20 percent to five percent.

Julie said: “2020 was extremely challenging and we’re not out of the woods yet.

“I’m backing this campaign not only for salons in Northampton, but all salons up and down the country.

“Throughout the various lockdowns, we haven’t been able to provide hair services and we are unable to take our business online like some sectors.

“We are appealing to the Government to cut the VAT we pay on this part of our business, which will give all local salons a better opportunity for survival and keep people in jobs.

“Hair salons are hubs of the community and provide much more than a haircut. It is important that we don’t lose these vital businesses.

“The Save our Salons campaign is helping UK salons to get their voice heard.”

Gavin McIntyre, owner of G&E McIntyres in The Ridings, has also previously spoken out in support of the national campaign.

In a survey of around 1,000 salons registered with the campaign, more than 50 percent of owners say they are considering closing and more than 80 percent are making redundancies.

The study also found that the ‘lifesaver’ VAT cut would be crucial to 81 percent of the salons surveyed as many struggle to recoup their losses from lockdowns, implementing social distancing measures and the costs of increased PPE.

Hellen Ward, founder of the Save our Salons campaign, added: “Salons are at the heart of the UK’s high streets, offering personal wellbeing at a time when we need it the most.

“We feel that hairdressing, barbering and beauty services will play a vital role in helping to rebuild and reshape the high street landscape of the future, but our salons need support now.

“By the end of March 2021, the sector will have been closed for a minimum of 240 days, yet has not received any additional financial support, such as those gifted to the arts, the sports sector, leisure or hospitality.

“Financial help to salons and professionals during this difficult time will be the only way to ensure that hairdressing can return to where it was at the beginning of 2020.”

Visit the campaign website to find out more.

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