Home barber shop breached lockdown rules and 'put people at risk'

Council officers visited a property on Ripponden Road after being told people were coming and going regularly and paying for haircuts

Oldham Council and Greater Manchester Police have acted after a concerned member of the public reported a house was being used as a barber shop during lockdown.

Officers visited the property on Ripponden Road after being told people were coming and going regularly and paying for haircuts – a clear breach of lockdown restrictions and potentially putting people at risk of coronavirus.

On arrival they discovered an active business in the front room – including two barber shop chairs – and customers waiting to have their hair cut.

No one was wearing appropriate safety equipment.

The owner of the property has been issued with a fine after breaching coronavirus restrictions.

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Culture, said: “Lockdown has been really hard for businesses but the vast majority have stuck to the rules and we’re thankful for that.

“But the rules are in place to protect people and cannot be ignored.

“This barber, and his customers, were not only breaking the rules but also putting people at risk and that is not acceptable at a time when we are all working to reduce the infection rate.”

Councillor Arooj Shah, Deputy Leader of Oldham Council and Cabinet Member for COVID-19 Response, said: “The council and GMP don’t want to stop any business trading as we know times are hard.

“But irresponsible behaviour of this type is what adds to the high infection rate which in turn reduces the option of moving away from the strict measures which affect us all.

“If you see safety breaches report them to us as no one should be put at risk.”

To contact the council's Environmental Health Team, email: ENVhealth@oldham.gov.uk

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