Government must help uk salon businesses to boom

HJ News Editor, Matthew Batham, wonders what the next government will do to ensure salon businesses continue to thrive.

The HJ British Hairdressing Business Awards highlighted just what goes into creating a successful salon or salon group.

The array of business-orientated talent on show was incredible, with Michael Van Clarke, in particular - with four wins - proving the importance of backing up creative skills with business acumen.

Every week I hear of salons seeing off competition from major multi-nationals in regional business awards - proving that salons can compete with the best from outside the industry.

The most recent of these success stories comes from Ellen Conlin Hair and Beauty, recent finalists in the Glasgow Business Awards.

We won't know whether the salon group is overall winner in the category of Excellence in Skills and Learning until 8 October, when the event takes place, but just reaching the final is a major achievement - and having won the award in 2006, there's major expectation that the business could triumph again.

With salon businesses seemingly still performing even during a recession, it would be good to see some recognition of this - and help - coming from the government.

With the NHF-led campaign to reduce VAT on salon services to 5% gaining support from some of the industry's major players, the government could soon be forced to give the concept serious consideration.

The heavyweight support comes from the  Hairdressing and Beauty Suppliers Association (HBSA), members of which include such major industry players as Wella Professionals, TIGI, Schwarzkopf, Goldwell and L'Oreal Professionnel.

David Macklin, HBSA chief executive, said: "The HBSA is supportive of the campaign and I am happy to do anything I can as a liaison between the HBSA and the NHF."

Eileen Lawson, NHF secretary general said: "Surely whoever is in government after the general election cannot ignore the strength the strength of feeling and logical argument behind the CuttheVAT campaign.

"We are gradually getting increasing publicity, including coverage in the regional as well as the national trade press. Ministers would do well to listen with the country anticipating going to the polls. VAT for hairdressing salon services is a direct tax on our sector that comes straight out of the clients' pockets."

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