UK hair salons and chippies among indie shops ‘most hit’ by cost of living crisis

Despite the increase in closures of stores such as fish and chip shops, the net rate fell to its lowest since 2016. Photograph: Anthony Hatley/Alamy

Hairdressers, dry cleaners and fish and chip shops were among the independent retailers hardest hit by surging energy bills and a consumer spending squeeze last year, putting a dampener on growth for locally owned businesses during the pandemic.

Richard Lambert, the chief executive of the National Hair & Beauty Federation trade body said salons, which were often led by women and could be significant employers in deprived areas, needed more support with energy bills and on recruiting new staff.