Caroline Hirons, a prominent figure in the skincare industry, has joined a chorus of voices from the beauty sector urging the UK government to provide financial support to salons facing escalating operational costs. Hirons, who also leads the brand Skin Rocks, stated that the government is neglecting businesses and the women who drive them.
Hirons, who sits on the board of the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology, emphasized that running a beauty salon is a serious commercial undertaking, not a casual pursuit. She is advocating for beauty salons to receive a business rates reduction similar to the 20% cut previously granted to pubs and live music venues.
"These are serious businesses with rent, rates, energy bills, insurance, stock, equipment, training and wages to pay before a single customer walks through the door," Hirons told The Mail. She warned that salon owners are unable to continuously absorb rising expenses, which could lead to increased customer prices, job losses, and in severe cases, business closures.
Hirons also highlighted what she perceives as a contradiction in government policy. "The Government talks a great deal about supporting female entrepreneurs, creating skilled jobs and bringing life back to our high streets. Yet when a predominantly female, £28.3bn industry asks to be included in the same conversation as pubs and live music venues, it is still treated like an optional extra. That contradiction needs calling out."
While acknowledging that the hospitality sector deserves support, Hirons argued that beauty businesses, which provide employment in towns across the country, should be afforded similar consideration. The beauty and personal care sector contributed an estimated £28.3 billion to the UK economy in 2025, according to the British Beauty Council.
This appeal follows similar concerns raised by Millie Kendall, CEO of the British Beauty Council, whose ambassadors include notable figures like Charlotte Tilbury, Kate Moss, and Trinny Woodall. Kendall previously stated that overlooking beauty businesses would be a significant error.
Last month, the Prime Minister announced a 20% business rates cut for hospitality firms, projected to save pubs an average of £1,100 and funded by reducing reliefs for gambling arcades and vape shops. This move has sparked dissatisfaction among other high street businesses also contending with increased costs for wages, National Insurance, and energy.