Entries close today for the Crossover Competition, a live barbering arena scheduled for Salon International at ExCeL London in October 2026.
Source: Hairdressers Journal / Salon International
Read full news summary →Great British Barber Bash is preparing Barber of the Year 2026 activity with competition dates in Liverpool and Glasgow, keeping live competitive barbering on the autumn calendar.
Erling Haaland’s switch from longer hair to a short cropped cut has put buzzcuts, tapers and clean clipper work back into a highly visible mainstream conversation.
Government apprenticeship listings continue to show live barbering and hair professional vacancies, including roles with September and October 2026 start dates.
New reporting on suspected shell companies registered as high-street businesses has intensified scrutiny around company identity, enforcement and the reputation of legitimate barber shops.
Freshly published Home Office statistics show enforcement visits to the beauty-industry category, which includes barbers, rose in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
Modern Barber has highlighted the barber categories now incorporated into the British Hairdressing Business Awards, keeping shop performance, education and leadership in the awards spotlight.
The National Hair & Beauty Federation has been shortlisted in the Best UK Association category, recognising its work across member support, policy, standards and sector representation.
Wahl UK Global Artistic Director Simon Shaw has taken over as President of the Fellowship for British Hairdressing with education and stronger links between barbering and hairdressing high on the agenda.
HairCon’s post-event coverage shows major professional brands continuing to invest in live education and high-production stage content as part of the UK trade-event calendar.
ANDIS artists used HairCon 2026 to demonstrate how traditional barbering foundations can be pushed into contemporary shapes including the modern mullet.
HairCon’s dedicated barbering recap highlights a packed mix of stage shows, demonstrations, brands and business discussion across the 2026 event.
Gabri Professional used the HairCon floor for live cuts, barber demonstrations and a new-product launch, showing how brands are pairing product release activity with education.
NHBF guidance has highlighted the first quarterly Making Tax Digital reporting cycle for affected self-employed business owners, with digital bookkeeping becoming more important for qualifying operators.
NHBF has used a public letter to the Prime Minister to press the case for support for labour-intensive high-street businesses across hair, beauty, barbering and aesthetics.
British grooming brand Captain Fawcett has expanded its Maharajah range with a scalp-focused shampoo and leave-in serum aimed at clients concerned about thinning or fine hair.
Leaf Studios has introduced a support model designed to combine self-employed flexibility with education, marketing and business-development resources.
Dark Stag has introduced a professional curl cream positioned around hydration, definition and flexible control for curls and waves.
NHBF has urged an evidence-led approach to wage policy and stronger employment support for small, labour-intensive hair and barbering businesses.
A House of Commons Library briefing has set out the current UK regulatory position for hairdressers and barbers, including the absence of a general statutory licensing requirement.
NHBF’s July Sofa Talk episode introduced President Fiona Johnston’s priorities and perspective as the trade body enters a new leadership phase.
A parliamentary answer has confirmed barbering and hairdressing apprenticeship standards remain part of the Government’s youth employment and skills strategy.
HairCon says its 2026 Manchester event welcomed nearly 12,000 guests, combining barbering, hairdressing, education, brands and live entertainment.
NHBF’s employment-law episode focuses on recurring workplace questions faced by salon and barbershop owners, reinforcing the need for clear contracts, processes and specialist advice.
HMRC has announced a significant expansion of interventions aimed at tax fraud and illegal activity on high streets, with barbers named among sectors in the enforcement focus.
The Home Office has outlined plans to extend closure powers used against businesses linked to organised crime, with rogue barber shops among the examples named.
NHBF has welcomed action against criminal high-street businesses while stressing that enforcement should be intelligence-led and should not damage the reputation of legitimate barbers.
NHBF has renewed its call for VAT reform for hair, beauty and barbering businesses after temporary tax support was announced for selected consumer sectors.
A new multi-agency high-street enforcement initiative has been announced as part of a £30 million crackdown on organised crime, with rogue barber shops among the sectors named.
Updated HSE guidance on infection risks has practical relevance to barbershops because close contact, shared tools and occasional skin breaks all require sensible risk control.
Leaf has launched a structured tool roll aimed at barbers and hair professionals who need organised scissor and comb storage behind the chair or on the move.
VAT, staffing, chair rental, wages and shop economics.
Government, HMRC, local authority and compliance developments.
Professional tools, furniture, maintenance and product movements.