Wage increases are 'unsustainable' for salon owners as they battle soaring costs

One disappointment for many in the services industry was Government’s decision not to keep the Vat rate at 9%, which will return to its pre-pandemic rate of 13.5% in Spring 2023

'I’m looking at between €7,000 and €10,000 every two months for electricity,' says Wayne Lloyd at his salon in Bandon, Co Cork. He also has a salon in Ballydehob, West Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

Wayne Lloyd is facing into his third difficult winter with his eponymous hair salons.

Mr Lloyd runs his salon chain in Munster and managed to survive the impact of Covid-19 lockdowns but now he must navigate new economic headwinds including staff shortages and high energy bills.