The British Beauty Council is urging the UK government to extend business rates relief to the beauty sector, asserting that these businesses are crucial for the vitality of high streets and local economies.
Millie Kendall, CEO of the British Beauty Council, has written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, highlighting that the sector, valued at £28.3 billion to the UK economy in 2025, is often overlooked in favor of hospitality and leisure industries. While pubs and entertainment venues have received significant rate relief, beauty businesses, which range from small nail salons to larger chains, have not been included in similar measures.
Kendall stated that the request is not for subsidies but for "economic common sense." She emphasized that beauty services, unlike those that can be delivered remotely or online, require physical premises and skilled professionals. The cost of maintaining these fixed locations, coupled with rising operational expenses such as wages, National Insurance contributions, and energy bills, is creating significant financial pressure. This economic reality is leading an increasing number of professionals to leave commercial premises for home-based or mobile work, which in turn reduces footfall in town centers.
The beauty and personal care sector supports approximately 600,000 jobs in the UK, with a significant portion of the workforce being women aged 18-34. The industry also generates substantial tax revenues, which the council notes could fund a significant number of nurse practitioners annually. However, employment in the sector has seen a slight decline, and growth is stagnating, a situation attributed to economic pressures and geopolitical instability affecting consumer confidence.
Retail services, including the beauty sector, are integral to the functioning of high streets, attracting customers who then engage with other local businesses, purchase transport, or dine in the area. Kendall argued that a comprehensive strategy for high street regeneration must recognize beauty businesses as anchors for local economies, stating that their closure has consequences that extend far beyond the industry itself.
Kendall called for business rates reform to be inclusive of retail services and to protect businesses from steep property tax increases. She also advocated for a fairer competitive environment between physical retailers and online marketplaces, which operate under different cost structures. The council believes that treating the beauty sector with the same consideration as other high street businesses is essential for creating vibrant town centers and supporting economic growth.