Half of UK salons face uncertain future amid rising business pressures

New figures from the British Hair Consortium reveal concerning trends in the UK's salon industry, with half of salon employees unsure about their ability to keep doors open over the next 12 months.

One in five salons indicates that closure is now very likely due to cost rises across the salon and products.

Issues such as VAT on labour, rising wages, higher national insurance contributions, and business rates are overtaking debt, energy bills, and declining footfall as top threats to individual businesses.

In Gloucestershire, hairdressers, including self-employed hair stylist Amelie from Cheltenham, have had to raise her client prices to keep up with the escalating cost of living.

Despite the price increases, Amelie reports that customers have been understanding of the necessity for adjustments:

"When I break it down to my clients and explain to them that between to the cost of living crisis, paying rent and paying the stock price increases, sometimes meant we were barely taking home minimum wage. They were a lot more understanding and could see it from our point of view so much better."

As these concerns continue to affect the industry, the future of many salons remains uncertain.

First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.