Hairdressing industry counts the cost of the riots

Salon owners have been left counting the costs following the riots that ripped through the country. Some suffered catastrophic damage, while others lost business through taking measures to protect their premises and staff from potential harm.

High-profile businesses to be hit included Toni & Guy and Headmasters in Clapham Junction, London, which were both targeted during the second night of looting on 8 August.

Speaking on the day after the night of violence, Headmasters' managing director John Sanders said: "Headmasters Clapham Junction has been attacked during the rioting last night. The glass frontage has been smashed and the salon has been looted. We are surveying the damage today and are relieved that all our team members were sent home early and are all safe.

"It is very sad that a business that invested £250,000 to open a salon during a difficult financial period, bringing jobs to local people in Clapham has been caught up in the violence. This directly affects our staff, who have worked hard to build this salon into a business with a good client base. The salon will be closed until we can repair the damage caused. Our thoughts are with our neighbours in Lavender Hill who have also suffered damage to their businesses and local residents who have been evacuated from their homes."

Another case to make headlines was that of 89 year-old barber Aaron Biber, whose shop was destroyed when rioting broke out in Tottenham. Aaron told press that he would have to close up as he couldn't afford to rebuild his devastated salon.

On a positive note, an online campaign to raise funds to help Aaron get back on his feet raised £35,000 in a matter of days - enough to re-open the business.

For many salons, the main problem was loss of trade through early closing in order to protect staff and premises from the potential threat of rioting. Said Sean Hanna, owner of the seanhanna salons group: "We were told of the towns being targeted. In response, we instructed all the managers in those areas to not stay open late, to remove all ghds and attractive products from view and hide computer screens. As they left the salons the teams turned off all the nightlights and logos."

Hype Coiffure, which has salons in Brixton town centre, Clapham Junction and Balham, escaped direct damage, but was still affected. Said managing director Calvin Rattray: "While thankfully our salon has not been damaged physically by the riots, trade has been affected significantly since they began. We've had lots of cancellations from clients who are too afraid to venture out and come to the salon. They hear sirens and see police cars and they are understandably frightened. As our salons are based in areas which have all been affected, we've also had to close the salons early to protect our staff and ensure they are able to get home safely. This really is a challenging time."

Commented Andrew Phouli, chairman of Rush Hair: "Fortunately, our salons have not been hit by the rioters but we are taking precautions in the areas affected and have had to close salons early in order for the staff to get home as safely and as quickly as possible. Our salons in Croydon, Sutton and Clapham Junction have been around for years and are a part of the community in these areas. Our newer salon in Ealing is also a growing business within the area and it is sad to see our neighboring businesses affected. Hopefully, the worst of it has passed and we are now moving forward to get our community back to what it was." 

Salon group Burlingtons also had to close its doors early while the rioting continued near both its Manchester and Birmingham salons, as well as its call centre which handles all the salons bookings, which is also based in Manchester.

"The safety of all staff is always our priority, and we did not deem this to be a safe time for our business to be running as normal," said managing director and founder, Clive Colman. "We estimate that the loss of earnings to our business with the call centre and the two salons closed for the afternoon is in the region of £9,000."