FOI release

Hairdressers and barbers

Case reference FOI2026/00707

Received 28 April 2026

Published 28 April 2026

Request

I am writing to make a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 relating to the regulation of hairdressers and barbers operating within the council’s area. I would be grateful if you could provide the following details: Business registration Does the council require hairdressers or barbers to register with the local authority? If so, please provide a list of businesses currently registered, including their trading name and full address (with postcode). Health and safety inspections Does the council carry out health and safety inspections of hairdressing and barbering premises? If inspections are undertaken, please supply a list of all such businesses inspected within the past five years (from April 2021 to the present), including their addresses and postcodes. Local figures Does the council hold a record of the total number of hairdressers and barbers known to be operating locally? If this number differs from the number of registered businesses, I would be grateful if you could confirm the total figure held.

Response

I am writing to make a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 relating to the regulation of hairdressers and barbers operating within the council’s area.
I would be grateful if you could provide the following details:
Business registration
Does the council require hairdressers or barbers to register with the local authority? If so, please provide a list of businesses currently registered, including their trading name and full address (with postcode). Barbers and hairdressers do not have to register with the local authority.
Health and safety inspections
Does the council carry out health and safety inspections of hairdressing and barbering premises? If inspections are undertaken, please supply a list of all such businesses inspected within the past five years (from April 2021 to the present), including their addresses and postcodes. We do not carry out routine health and safety visits, but if there is a complaint we would investigate.
Local figures
Does the council hold a record of the total number of hairdressers and barbers known to be operating locally? No, Because these businesses don't have to register, we would not have an up to date register or knowledge of all businesses.

If this number differs from the number of registered businesses, I would be grateful if you could confirm the total figure held. N/A

Documents

There are no documents for this release.

This is Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.