Harrogate indie salon launches 'Glam Up to Help Out' campaign as beauty industry struggles

Louise Hitch, who first opened The Harrogate Nail Bar on Station bridge nearly four years ago, said she had been inspired by the success of the Government's Eat Out to Help Out scheme to go find own way of boosting business and helping customers.

She said: "I am launching ‘Glam Up to Help Out’ with the hope that I can in the first instance create business for my salon but with also a wider remit to sign up other local beauty businesses who might want to capitalise on some community spirit, in the same way that the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme has done for the restaurant industry."

Talking about what she described as "the trickiest trading climate for a generation," she said her entire industry was struggling.

And the Government's handling of lockdown had not helped, she added.

Louise said: "The beauty industry is facing its toughest trading climate for a generation. I read that the industry employs more people than the UK car manufacturing industry and creates over £38billion for Great Britain PLC in annual revenue, not to mention that most beauty businesses are run by all female teams who would be negatively impacted should businesses close - yet there are no measures currently in place, to help us."

The aim of ‘Glam Up to Help Out’ is simple - to create a platform that other businesses can sign up to, have downloadable signage options, create a buzz on social media and increase customer numbers in the beauty and nail sector.

Louise said: "Will anyone participating get a kick back from the Government in the same way restaurants are under the EOTHO scheme- I’m afraid not.

"But we simply don’t have the time to wait for the government to recognise our industry, a lot of us won't survive that long."

Lockdown proved particularly eventful for the owner of The Harrogate Nail Bar.

Just more than 12 weeks ago, Louise gave birth to a baby daughter, her second child.

She said: "I am a female small business owner, I am not only is trying to keep a business alive during the trickiest trading climate for a generation but is also juggling the needs of a young family."

'Glam Up to Help Out’ offers clients that visit The Harrogate Nail Bar every Monday , Tuesday and Wednesday in August from Monday, August 10 to Monday, August 31, 50% off any treatment up to the value of £10 per treatment on any nail service or body waxing.

There is a minimum spend of £27.

The new measure follows a tough last six months of the year for the beauty salon industry in Harrogate as much as anywhere else.

Louise said, following months of closure, the Government's change of heart on the 'all clear' for reopening on August 1 had harmed the whole industry.

She said: "On Saturday, March 23 the salon closed it’s doors for a four-month long, nationwide lockdown.

"On Friday, July 10 the long awaited all clear to reopen was given, and with just three days notice on Monday, July 13, the business reopened it’s doors whilst ensuring it was COVID secure and ready to welcome clients back.

"On the menu, only half of the treatments on offer, as the Government stated only manicures on hands and feet, plus body waxing, was safe to take place.

"On Saturday, August 1 the restrictions on the remainder of the services on the menu were due to be lifted - treatments on the face including brow waxing, face waxing and lashes.

"At lunchtime on Friday, July 31 the beauty industry was informed that it would not be able to perform treatments on the face as the planned easing of restrictions was not lifted, giving less than 24 hours notice to cancel a fully-booked diaries on Saturday, August 1."

More information is available at www.TheHarrogateNailBar.com

To book online visit: phorest.com/book/salons/theharrogatenailbarltd

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