Coronavirus: An update from NHBF

Hilary Hall, NHBF chief executive

We are living through extraordinary times and our industry is facing weeks, if not months, of huge anxiety as the Coronavirus pandemic continues. Here, NHBF chief executive, Hilary Hall, shares an update on the organisation’s efforts…

The NHBF is reacting rapidly to the developing situation, from putting out daily updates and publishing detailed FAQs for the industry as a whole. We’ve also been answering thousands of calls from worried members. We have been absolutely inundated and would like to thank members for their patience as they wait to speak to our membership team or legal helpline.

We have created a NHBF information hub at nhbf.co.uk/coronavirus

Lobbying for the industry

The NHBF has also been urgently lobbying the government at the highest levels to get the best outcomes for everyone in the industry at this extremely difficult time.

In particular, we urged the government for clarity when it was first announced that businesses would have to close as it was unclear whether or not salons were included in the list.

We pressed for them to be included to help protect staff, clients and the wider public. We also pushed the government to offer more help to the self-employed. This was vitally important as 57% of those who work in beauty are self-employed, according to our research.

Information, support & inspiration

Our priority is to be here for our members and the industry as a whole and to do all we can to offer support at this time.

You can visit our coronavirus FAQs page on our website where you’ll find a wealth of information about what to do and how to cope during this crisis.

The questions cover a huge range of issues from the financial support available to how to keep your premises safe and secure while you’re closed. We’ve also been keeping everyone updated on our social media channels and via daily updates on the NHBF website.

Holiday payment for members

Our members are a particular concern for us at this time, and we have announced a two-month holiday from NHBF membership payments to help relieve the financial stress they will be under.

They will still have full access to all our membership benefits, including our free 24/7 legal helpline, which has been invaluable since the crisis struck. There is help and advice at nhbf.co.uk/legal-advice

Resources for salons

We have also been doing all we can to provide ready-to-use resources for our members. These have included a closure poster and messages for use in salons and on social media as well as legally compliant letters to send to staff that are being furloughed (temporarily laid off) due to coronavirus.

Remember, we are stronger together. The NHBF is determined to help everyone in our industry get through this.

The NHBF information hub can be found at nhbf.co.uk/coronavirus