Authorities closed down a Chipping Sodbury barber shop today following reports the owner had continued trading during lockdown.

Residents had reported that Bob’s Gents Hairdresser in Hounds Road had been taking walk-in clients and appointments despite the coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

Government rules set out in March ordered any businesses connected with the beauty industry to temporarily close.

Hairdressers have not yet been allowed to re-open. They fall into phase three of the Government’s plan to ease lockdown which currently states that the earliest hairdressers can trade again is July 4.

Bob's Gent’s Hairdressers removed their ‘open’ sign from Chipping Sodbury High street following the police visit on Wednesday, June

A Police source told a Gazette reporter that whilst visiting the barber, they were advised by the owner that he was ‘decorating’ but upon further inspection, found that he had a client on the premises and was in the middle of cutting his hair.

In a statement they said:"Chipping Sodbury police received a call this morning, Wednesday 3 June, reporting that a local business was open in contravention of the coronavirus guidance.
Officers did attend and give words of advice to the owner, however local authorities deal with breaches of the regulations by businesses." 

Local businesses had penned an open letter to Bob’s Gents Hairdresser urging the owner to stop trading until legally permitted again.

It said:

“It’s been a tough time for the industry and we’ve all been advised by the Government that we won’t re-open until 4th July at the earliest.

"Like you, we have received requests for haircuts and our answer, has been ‘no’ every time.

"We hope that you will do the right thing and close your doors until we are legally entitled to open them again.”

Joe Campbell of Barber Joe’s said:

“It’s sad to hear that not everyone has followed the rules but we can’t wait to welcome back our clients from July 4".

Nicola White, owner of Innovation Hair Studio, said the community was “annoyed and frustrated” that the owner of Bob’s had “flouted” the lockdown, adding: “It will take months for us to recover whilst Bob’s have been trading throughout.”

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesperson said:

"Based on police evidence we will serve the business with a Prohibition Notice under the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020. This Notice has immediate effect requiring the activity to cease and not resume before the end of the emergency period relevant for this type of premises. Failure to comply is an offence punishable by a fine in a Magistrates Court."