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TV licensing issues warning
to hairdressers in Southport and Formby areas
SALON managers who attempt to cut
corners when styling hair by not buying a TV Licence could be risking having a
'brush'
with their local magistrate, which is why TV Licensing is urging managers in
Southport ensure their businesses are correctly licensed.
With businesses keen to keep their clients happy and entertained whilst having
their hair cut and styled, many salons are providing customers with individual
wall-mounted screens in front of each chair. Some forward-thinking salons are
even offering tablets to customers so they can access on demand TV services, as
well as demonstrating new potential looks and styles.
Salons need a TV Licence if they provide a TV or tablet for customers or staff
to watch live TV programmes or BBC programmes on iPlayer. If the salon does not
have a licence then the business risks prosecution and a fine of up to ₤1,000.
In 2016, 10 salons across the UK were prosecuted for licence fee evasion, and in
the last Financial Year, TV Licensing enquiry officers visited more than 36,000
unlicensed businesses, including hair salons and barbers shops.
Matthew Thompson, TV Licensing spokesperson said:- "With many salons
mounting small TV screens by each chair or providing handheld tablets so
customers don't miss a minute of their best-loved TV shows, hairdressers are
making sure TV is more accessible than ever before. But it's important salon
owners and managers take a few moments to review and update their licensing
requirements.
Cutting corners, rather than hair, could land the owner in court and facing a
fine of up to ₤1,000. A TV Licence is just a 'snip' at ₤145.50, and there
are many ways for businesses to pay; including BACS electronic transfer, Direct
Debit or cheque. A licence can be bought in minutes
online."
Hilary Hall, CEO of the National Hairdressers' Federation, added:-
"Reading a magazine in the chair is still very popular, but some clients enjoy
watching TV while they're having their hair cut or styled. If someone is having
a treatment they can be in the chair or under the dryer for a couple of hours,
time the customer could spend with Sherlock, Strictly Come Dancing or Planet
Earth II. The National Hairdressers' Federation regularly reminds salons that if
anyone will be watching TV in the workplace they need to have a TV Licence."
To help businesses and staff understand the legal implications of watching
programmes live at work, TV Licensing has produced a downloadable 'TV Viewing in
the Workplace' guide. The guide allows managers to outline whether the business
is covered by a TV Licence and whether staff and customers are allowed to watch
TV in the workplace.
Download the template today!
Does this affect you? Please let us know by
emailing us to:-
News24@SouthportReporter.com. Also we would love to know if you think TV
Licensing enforcement is starting to get out of hand.
Interestingly our Twitter
Pole asked:-
"Have you watched live TV or BBC Programs at a hairdressers or barbers? This
could be on TV, PC, laptop or tablet..." 86% said No, why would I? 14%,
yes on my own device.
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