I am a beauty salon owner in Basingstoke, with 2 salons employing 12 women within the borough and I would like to express my shock and disappointment at the governments decision to keep us closed, whilst allowing pubs and hair salons to open. 

There appears to be no logic applied to this decision, whatsoever and can only assume money and lobbying from large industries played it's part. It shows a complete lack of understanding of how we operate. 

Beauty salons are by far, one of the safest and most sterile environments you can visit. Hair salons are in open plan environments, will be touching clients and many are very small shops. Beauty Therapists are able to take their clients directly to a room where they can be safely isolated and will be performing treatments within the same proximity as hairdressers. So where is the logic? 

It would have been far more sensible to place restrictions on our treatments rather than the sweeping statement of 'we will review it when we feel it is safe to do so.'

We are specialists in hygiene. Everything we use and touch is sterilised between clients. We wash our hands before and after every client. Can hairdressers and pubs say they do the same ? No. And certainly, how can you open pubs when you can absolutely guarantee, drunk people will be knocking in to each other and causing all sorts of issues? That makes absolutely, the least amount of sense!

We have computer based appointment systems and we can identify any one person at anytime that attended, should they contract the virus. A track and trace system that is far superior to the one that exists and we have this by default. 

Beauty salons and nail bars, are mainly independent traders, all of which could go out of business by August.  With the reduction of furlough,we will be forced to make redundancies of hundreds of workers as it will not be possible to make up 5 months worth of zero income, whilst the bills keep coming in. 

The very nature of a Therapist is considerate and we so passionately care for the people we look after, you couldn't get a more safe industry.  

All I ask is that you please, please review this decision as a matter of urgency. The livelihood of my team and my business are at stake and I am therefore, begging you for support. 

Yours in hope,