London hair salons seek more support as they stand to lose £16m of sales per week while closed

London hair salons will have lost around £240 million in sales between January and when they look to set to reopen from lockdown, it has been estimated.

The National Hair & Beauty Federation calculated the figure as bosses in the sector said more government support would help the industry. Hair salons could start welcoming customers back from April 12 under the government’s latest plan.

The NHBF said salons in the capital are losing a combined £16 million turnover per week through closures. The organisation calculates around £240 million in total sales will have been lost between January 1 and the reopening date.

Ian Egerton, managing director of The Stress Exchange salon in London Bridge, said “it feels good” to have a reopening date to work towards.

But he added: “We will need government assistance with extended furlough, rates freeze and a VAT reduction to 5% just to help us get back on our feet, but we’re ready to get to work.”

Andre Johnson at Gusto, which has two West End branches, said: “The lifting of the last restrictions [in April] is a step in the right direction. Nonetheless the government must stick to its plan and not get derailed by any potential transient setbacks.  Businesses and consumers alike need to be assured that this will be the last of the lockdowns.”

Richard Lambert, chief executive of NHBF, yesterday said April 12 “is still seven more weeks without being able to trade but still having to pay the overheads. So we still need a specific grant to support our sector through the immediate cashflow crisis to the point where we can reopen”.