Key Points:
- Local MP Julia Lopez led a debate in Parliament urging government intervention to protect high street salons in Havering.
- Salons are facing an existential crisis due to soaring business rates, rising National Insurance contributions, and increasing supplier costs.
- Julia Lopez, Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride, and local salon owners discussed the financial pressures on salons in Hornchurch.
- The four key requests: reform VAT, restore business rate relief, revive apprenticeships, and reassess October budget measures.
- Salon owners fear widespread closures and loss of apprenticeship opportunities if no action is taken.
Hornchurch and Upminster MP Julia Lopez calls on the government to support high street salons in her constituency amid rising costs. In Parliament, she highlighted the pressures of increasing business rates, National Insurance, and the lack of apprenticeship opportunities for the hair and beauty sector.
What are the concerns raised by Hornchurch and Upminster MP Julia Lopez about high street salons?
Julia Lopez, MP for Hornchurch and Upminster, recently led a debate in Parliament to urge the Government to intervene in the ongoing crisis facing high street salons in her constituency. During the debate, Lopez highlighted the struggles these businesses are experiencing due to significant financial pressures.
Why are high street salons in Havering under threat?
Local salons, such as The Vanilla Room, Wyndham Hair, and Utopia Beauty & Advance Skincare, have raised concerns about the increasing costs they are facing. Over the past few months, business rates have doubled, and Employer National Insurance contributions have risen by a third. Moreover, apprenticeship hires have dropped by 75%, and supplier costs are skyrocketing, further exacerbating the financial strain on these businesses.
During a high-profile visit by Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride, salon owners expressed their fear that without urgent government support, many of these independent businesses will soon close. This would not only hurt the economy but also threaten the future of apprenticeships in the sector, which are vital for training the next generation of hairdressers and beauty professionals.
What measures does Julia Lopez want the government to consider?
Julia Lopez MP has called on the Government to take swift and decisive action to support high street salons. The four key measures she proposed during the parliamentary debate are:
- Reform VAT – Tailor the VAT system to suit the specific needs of the hair and beauty industry, which is struggling under the current tax regime.
- Restore business rate relief – Revert business rate relief to pre-April 2025 levels to ease the financial burden on small, service-led businesses.
- Revive apprenticeship schemes – Open up more career pathways for young people by incentivising salons to offer apprenticeship opportunities.
- Reassess the October budget measures – Address the issues raised by salon owners regarding National Insurance increases and other fiscal policies introduced in the recent budget.
How has the salon community responded to the crisis?
The response from salon owners has been one of urgent concern. Johnpaul Wyndham, owner of Wyndham Hair, stressed that increasing employment costs and the reduction in business rates relief are forcing salons to make tough choices. He emphasised that these challenges are not only economic but also affect the community’s fabric, as salons are integral to the local culture and economy.
Stefania Rossi, Director of Utopia Beauty and Advance Skincare, expressed gratitude for the parliamentary debate, which she hopes will bring much-needed attention to the sector’s plight. She noted the significant rise in operational costs, including utility bills and supplier costs, making it increasingly difficult to sustain the business.
Meanwhile, Hayley Clayden, Business Coordinator at The Vanilla Room, echoed similar concerns, warning that without government intervention, many salons will disappear from the high street, along with the vital apprenticeships they provide to young people.
What did Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride say about the situation?
Mel Stride MP, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, also visited the salons in Hornchurch and voiced his concern over the situation. He stated, “What I heard in Hornchurch is deeply troubling. These businesses aren’t asking for handouts – they are simply asking for fairness.” He criticised the Government’s recent policies, especially the rise in Employer National Insurance and the reduction in business rates relief, describing them as “crushing small enterprises”.
He further emphasised that the policies are having a disproportionate impact on small businesses, which form the backbone of local communities. Stride also pointed out that the Labour Government’s anti-business stance is not only affecting the economy but also undermining women’s employment in sectors like hairdressing, which predominantly employ women.
How can the government respond to save high street salons?
The debate, led by Julia Lopez MP, has placed the spotlight on the urgent need for the Government to act before it’s too late. High street salons are vital to the local economy, offering essential services while also providing apprenticeship opportunities that help young people gain valuable skills.
For the survival of these businesses, the Government must seriously consider the measures proposed by Lopez and salon owners, including VAT reform, business rate relief, and revitalising apprenticeship schemes. Failure to act could result in the widespread closure of high street salons, devastating the local economy and the job market in Havering.
Conclusion: High street salons in Hornchurch and Upminster are at a crossroads. With increasing financial pressures and a lack of government support, their future hangs in the balance. Julia Lopez’s call for government intervention is crucial to safeguarding these community cornerstones, ensuring they remain a vibrant part of local life for years to come.
