"Let us open for business or tell us the scientific reasons why we have to stay closed' is call to Prime Minister from angry Pendle beauty salon owner

Tierney Hanson, who has run Neo Vintage in Colne for the past six years, has warned that many may be willing to break the law and open their shops as they have been that badly hit financially after three months of no trading due to the Covid 19 lockdown.

Tierney (34) said: "So many have contacted me very upset, angry and confused as to why we are not being allowed to open yet.

"We want to know the scientific reasons why beauty salons are not being allowed to open and other businesses such as hairdressers, pubs and restaurants are allowed to.

"It is infuriating and I cannot see the sense behind it. I have a hairdresser who works from my salon and I will open to allow her to work but I am not able to work myself, it is a complete nonsense."

Mum of two Tierney has contacted Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson to raise her concerns and also invite him to her salon in Keighley Road to see the stringent measures she has put in place to keep staff and clients safe.

Mr Stephenson has put Tierney's concerns and questions to the government and said he will share its response as soon as he receives it.

One of the reasons given for not allowing beauty salons to re-open their doors this Saturday was that the profession requires a great deal of face to face and hands-on interaction but Tierney claims this argument does not stand up saying: "I have to touch someone's hand when I hand over money in a shop, bank or supermarket.

"We were given a grant and the government told us we would need PPE equipment so we spent a lot of money to make sure the salon has all the correct PPE equipment and social distancing markers in place so why can't we open?

"It feels like beauticians are being singled out, we feel so let down.

"I have been contacted by so many people in absolute despair because they haven't received any grant money from the government during the lockdown and now they are being told they cannot go back to work."

Last week Burnley beauty salon owner Lisa Smith said it would be 'touch and go' for her business and many others in a similar position if she could not get back to work.

This week Tierney went to to her salon, with her colleague Lauren Thornley, to practise their profession under Covid 19 guidelines.

She added: "We were a metre apart at all times in full PPE gear to prove that we can work safely and within the guidelines."

Tierney is also upset at the announcement that aestheticians, offering treatments such as Botox and lip fillers, are also being allowed to open.

Along with her friend Claire Byrne ,who runs a holistic therapy salon in Barrowford, Tierney is asking for people to sign a petition calling on the government to allow beauty salons to re-open.

It already has almost 17,000 signatures and can be found by clicking HERE.