Focus on "specialist equipment/licences"

Specialist equipment required by a hairdressing business may include:

• chairs (different types are used for styling, back washing, drying) - from around £150 to £600
• wash basins - backwash basins from around £100 each
• styling unit - (with mirror and fittings) - £150 to £400
• hood type hairdryer - from around £200
• hand-held hairdryer - around £25 each
• clippers - from around £30 upwards for electric clippers
• scissors - from £10 to over £100 for stylists scissors
• gowns - from around £8 each
• towels - £10 to £20 for a bundle of a dozen plain towels
• washing machine and dryer - commercial washing machines cost around £800 and dryers around £500. Alternatively, suitable commercial washer/drier machines can be leased for around £10 per week. (Domestic appliances are cheaper, and may be adequate depending on the number of towels, gowns etc used)
• stereo system for playing music in the salon - from around £250 complete
• reception area chairs - £30 to £90 each
• reception area table - around £70
• leaflet dispensers - from around £5 (single) to £50 (9 pocket)
• glass fronted retail display cabinets - from around £300

If background music is played in the salon, licences are required:

• Performing Right Society (PRS) licence - annual charge from around £50 depending on size of salon
• Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) licence - annual charge of around £80

The PRS and PPL should be contacted for further details of licensing requirements and the exact charge for a particular salon. For contact addresses see Legislation and regulation: Licensing requirements.