REPORT

UNLOCK UNPAID COVID-19 GRANT MONEY TO SAVE BARBERSHOPS

The British hair & beauty sector is urging the government to step in to speed up the COVID-19 grant distribution process.

To date, only 13 per cent of the £1.6bn Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) monies available to local authorities has been allocated to businesses desperately in need, reported the National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF).

Feedback from the sector after the Budget was announced on 3 March has been that whilst many were grateful for the grant announcements, it could be too late if businesses do not receive funding urgently.

The National Hair & Beauty Federation, along with the British Beauty Council, British Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology and the UK Spa Association, has written to the Secretary of State for Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The group are urging the government to push local authorities to expand their current eligibility criteria for ARGs to cover struggling businesses and speed up the fund allocation process to get this money through to people as soon as possible.

AMERICAN CREW ALL STARS CHALLENGE LAUNCHES

The annual All-Star Challenge encourages barbers and hair stylists to put their techniques to the test to create a hairstyle that best represents the American Crew look.

Submissions for the global competition are reviewed by respective in-country judging panels to select their national winner, who will then move forward to participate in the global competition where five winners will be selected.

The All-Star Challenge 2021 Winners will receive a $5,000 monetary award and an all-expense paid trip to Barcelona, Spain to participate in an editorial photo shoot alongside American Crew Founder, and renowned photographer, David Raccuglia. Entries close on 15 May.

Further details about the UK & IE final are yet to be announced and the global winners will be announced on 7 June.

LISTEN TO: BARBERTALK PODCAST

Mental health campaigner, author and founder of Lions Barber Collective, Tom Chapman has released his podcast BarberTalk Tales from the Chair.

In the podcast you are invited into Tom’s virtual barbershop to eavesdrop on the chats between a barber and their client. It gives an insight into people’s lives, thoughts and the positive impact that the hair industry can have on its clients, particularly in relation to mental health. Guests include ex-Liverpool and England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland and MB’s favourite guest to date – the actor, presenter and disability rights campaigner Adam Pearson. Search BarberTalk Tales from the Chair on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

WATCH: MB UPSKILLS ON-DEMAND VIDEOS

Throughout lockdown 3.0 we’ve talked to an array of exciting guests for our MB Upskills series. Designed to inspire, educate and inform barbers about their business, the talks are all available to watch on-demand on our YouTube and IGTV channels.

YouTube: Modern Barber Magazine
Instagram: @modernbarbermag

THE PERSONAL CARE SECTOR IN CRISIS

The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) has published findings from ‘Hair, beauty and the pandemic: An industry at the sharp end. The impact of coronavirus on business vulnerability and the potential for mitigating measures.’ Commissioned by the NHBF from independent analysts Pragmatix Advisory, the report details the current situation of the industry. Some of the key findings are as follows:

• More than 10% of the sector has already closed its doors for good since the pandemic

• 60% of businesses have no cash reserves (up from 27 per cent in 2019)

• The average business has lost 45% of 2019 turnover (up to 59 % in some areas)

• Even when open, social distancing restrictions mean salon capacity is down to 70%

• 1 in 8 business owners have already made redundancies as a result of the pandemic

• More than half have been forced to cut staff hours in order to save costs.

RECOMMENDATION FOR STANDALONE BARBERING APPRENTICESHIP

A report has been published that recommends changes in the apprenticeships and technical education for hair and beauty – and it includes a recommendation that there be a standalone new apprenticeship for barbering.

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (the Institute) has published reports summarising results from the latest route reviews. ‘Route reviews’ look into whether apprenticeships, T Levels and other technical education training is high-quality and fully up to date.

The report includes the hair professional apprenticeship, which was approved before the Institute launched in 2017 and will now be updated.

Jennifer Coupland, chief executive at the Institute, said: “We will come out of the pandemic and these reviews will ensure that the right apprenticeships will be in place to support that recovery and serve their sectors’ skills needs for many years to come.”

They expect to publish full reports later this year that further reflect on the impact of COVID-19 and longer-term sector changes.

The hair and beauty summary reports can be downloaded from www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/reviews-and-consultations/route-reviews/hair-and-beauty-route-review-summary-report/

MR SAM WALL PRODUCT PROCEEDS DONATED TO CHARITY

The range of men’s grooming products created by Sam Wall is set to continue in memory of its founder who passed away aged 32. Proceeds will go towards men’s mental health charity Lions Barber Collective, of which Sam was an ambassador.

The ‘Let’s ‘Ave It’ range of styling products, will be sold at Hidden Heights Creative Studio in Gateshead, where Sam was based – and they will also be available at www.hiddenheightsstudio.com/store. The team have committed to continuing Sam’s product range in his memory. Marie Harkness, owner and founder of Hidden Heights commented: “The ongoing success of Sam’s range means we can generate vital funds for the work of The Lions. We hope this will enable Sam and the amazing work he did to be remembered in the most fitting way.”