A salon owner says he hasn't been able to pay himself in response to the coronavirus crisis.
Owner of Frank Di Lusso Hair says furlough has been a great help for his employees but grants "have not actually helped that much."
It comes after salons across the UK were forced to close to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Following the government's latest announcement that non-essential retail, including salons, will not open before April 12, we spoke to Frank about his experience with Covid-19.
He said: "As a director of my salon I haven’t been able to pay myself for two thirds of the last 12-months.
"It feels as if I am able to help my staff with furlough but directors are the forgotten people of the financial help in which the government has provided.
Frank and his team
"I assume they (politicians) know directors are not share holders of multi-billion pound global companies!
He continued: "When the fallout of this pandemic is seen and understood they will see that in all probability 1 in 3 salons/ spas and barbershops will not exist.
"I have a large salon which means large fixed costs. We will have been closed for nearly 8 of the previous 12 months.
"If they really were to help they would give us help with the VAT and chop it to 5% if only for a short period.
"That would really help and for many the businesses the difference between bankruptcy and survival."
Speaking about his time away from the salon, Frank said he has kept busy by homeschooling his daughters Luna, Cara and Nora
He continued: "Personally I have struggled without the routine of the slice of salon life I have carved for myself in Carshalton.
"I miss the people, the salon banter and most of [ all ] creating and making people look and feel beautiful.
"I’m proud of my salon and what the team and I have achieved in the past seven years. I just miss it."
He went onto say that having a date towards reopening is "essential" and is a great motivator for both himself and his staff.
"It's obviously great to have a date of the 12th of April to plan towards, however research for the personal care sector has shown it is one of the safest environments of any industry.
"Coupled with the enormous investments we as salon owners have made in regards of PPE and so forth it's even safer!
"As someone with a great passion not just for the creative side of the salon life but also the business side, I am baffled as to why a sector as big as personal care and how much it contributes to the economy is almost regarded as an afterthought by Boris and his acolytes in parliament.
"What I am, nearing the end of this is disillusioned and disenfranchised with the higher-ups of our nation and the lack of decisive communication over the last 4-months."
Since December 20, Frank and his team have been calling clients chronologically to book them in. He has been 'inundated' with appointments - with people also booking online.
"In a world where so few things have been in our control through lockdown at least, we will be able to control how we look," said Frank.
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