4 November 2020

This update covers:

  • NHBF urges government to provide more financial support.
  • England: closure and opening dates confirmed.
  • England: business grants.
  • England: click and collect during lockdown.
  • England: vocational training during lockdown.
  • Coronavirus loan schemes extended.
  • Self-Employment Income Support Scheme extended.


NHBF urges government to provide more financial support

The NHBF has written to Secretary of State Alok Sharma urging the government to provide more financial support for our industry, including:

  • A temporary reduction in VAT to 5%.
  • An extension to eviction protection.
  • An extension of the 100% business rate relief for salons and barbershops.

The letter highlights that hair and beauty businesses are now facing a second lockdown in a much weaker financial position than they were in March and says that local authorities must act quickly to distribute the funding that has been provided by central government.

England: closure and opening dates confirmed

All hair and beauty businesses in England must close from Thursday, 5 November 2020 until Wednesday, 2 December.

  • The last day your business can open is today, 4 November 2020.
  • Subject to restrictions being lifted, you can reopen your business on Thursday, 3 December 2020.

These rules apply to hair salons, barbershops, beauty salons, spas, massage parlours, non-medical acupuncture, tanning salons and mobile businesses.

Until tomorrow, 5 November, local restrictions under the three-tier system (see below) will continue to apply. Find out more.

England: business grants for salons and barbershops during lockdown

Salons or barbershops forced to close in England due to local or national restrictions will be eligible for the following: 

  • For properties with a rateable value of £15k or under: grants of £1,334 per month, or £667 every two weeks.
  • For properties with a rateable value of between £15k-£51k: grants of £2,000 per month, or £1,000 every two weeks.
  • For properties with a rateable value of £51k or over: grants of £3,000 per month, or £1,500 every two weeks.

Visit your local authority's website to find out how to apply. Find your local authority on the government website.

£1.1bn is also being distributed to local authorities so they can make one-off payments to help support businesses.

Find out what financial help is available across the four nations including grants in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

England: click and collect during lockdown

Salons and barbershops can continue to operate a click and collect service for retail products during lockdown. Remember: you should sell retail products only, not products meant for professional use. Find out more.

England: vocational training during lockdown

Hair and beauty education and training courses in vocational training environments can continue during the lockdown. Salons and barbershops can also continue to use their premises to provide training.

  • Students can use other students as models and dummy heads/blocks, but not members of the public.
  • One-to-one and group teaching is allowed.
  • Covid-secure guidelines for close contact working must be followed.

Note: Hair and beauty education and training courses are NOT allowed to take place in the national lockdown from 00.01 on Tuesday 5 January. 

Coronavirus loan schemes extended

The government’s Bounce Back Loan and Business Interruption Loan schemes have been extended and applications can now be made until 31 January 2021. Find out what financial help is available across the four nations.

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme extended

The government is offering two grants, each available for three-month periods. The online service for making claims will be available from 30 November 2020.

The first grant will cover 1 November 2020 to 31 January 2021. The government will provide a taxable grant of 55% of average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment and capped at £5,160 in total.

The grant for November is an increase on the previously announced level of 40% of trading profits to 80%. This returns to 40% for December 2020 and January 2021. This means the total amount of the grant will increase from 40% to 55% of trading profits for 1 November 2020 to 31 January 2020. 

The second grant will cover a three-month period from 1 February 2021 until 30 April 2021. The government has not yet said how much the second grant will be. Find out what financial help is available across the four nations.

See all updates