‘Brexit’ vote has been a shock, but salons should not panic about the future, says NHBF

Hairdressing and beauty salons and barber shops will, like everyone else, have been closely following the fall-out from last week’s surprise “Brexit” vote by the UK to leave the European Union.

But, while there are uncertainties ahead, salons should not panic – the UK hairdressing, barbering and beauty industry is robust and economically in good shape, the NHBF has said.

NHBF president Agnes Leonard said:

“Last week’s referendum vote was, of course, a momentous moment for the whole nation. For many, both those who voted Remain and Leave, emotions are running high and many salons owners are, understandably, fearful about how this decision might affect the UK economically in the future.

“Clearly, if the fall-out from this vote is that Britain’s tips back into a recession that has the potential to be damaging for our industry. But, for the moment, there are so many unknowns – who will be our next Prime Minister, how an exit from the EU might work, whether it will even happen – that it is impossible to be sure what the future holds.

“We all need to take time to let this decision sink in and see how the land, politically and economically, lies over the next few months.

“Exiting the EU is not something that is going to happen overnight and, as such, in reality nothing on our high streets has changed. Salons should be reassuring clients, and themselves that, for now, it is ‘business as usual’.

“Hairdressing is a global industry but for most salons their market is their local high street. To that end, we don’t anticipate leaving the EU will have that much of a direct impact on our industry.

“As to the wider economic repercussions of Brexit, it is much too early to be making any hard-and-fast predictions. But salons should not panic and, however things evolve, the NHBF will be with them every step of the way.”