Business licences?

[Donna Ryan]

hello

I wondered if anyone can help, I didn’t know I needed a business licence for doing facials at home, I’ve since heard that if I join a governing body then I will be exempt - does anyone know if that sounds right?

 

[Trinity]

It depends on your specific local council requirements, you need to call them for specifics

 

[rubywoo]

I'm afraid you need to read the terms and conditions of your local boroughs licensing. It is a misconception that is often held by beauty therapists. Ask your local council which professions are covered by this clause as beauty therapists aren't, the revenue generated by beauty therapists is far too great for councils to loose. I'm afraid the only choice you have is to pay up and shut up. After I opened I called my local council asking could we please make an appointment for an inspection three times, on the last call they informed me with rather more hostility than I would have liked, that they would call me if they wanted to do one but they didn't do it as standard as they used the money generated from beauty salon licenses to fund their food licensing department!!!!!. So when I asked them what exactly was I paying for I was informed that if a member of the public reported the salon for not following the licensing terms I would have my license taken away. When I asked how members of the public should be expected to know the terms of the licensing agreement things became a little terse. So I further poked at the situation and asked "could you just confirm for me that I am paying for a license that you expect the public to regulate?!" Obviously, I was met with hostility and bid the clerk good day. Things went down hill from here as I reported the situation to my MP as I felt the license was offering false safety to members of the public by licensing uninspected premises. My MP simply forwarded my complaint to the head of licensing who was now somewhat miffed and ultimately accused me lying and trying to get out of paying my licensing fee. I realised I was beaten (not a situation I perform well in on these matters) when the head of licensing began insulting my command of English (far superior to his) and that I was placing my business in danger of victimisation, so gracefully removed myself from the debate and kept my head under the parapet ever since.

So, take a deep breath, pay it and walk away, they have the power to stop you trading. I will pick this up again one day when I have the will to fight with petty bureaucrats.

 

[Modify Me]

Seems like you’ve had a tough time with your council. I had to register my business as a body piercer but it wasn’t a licence to practice it was simply paying for a registration of the property and the business. I work from my own home and have since qualified in beauty treatments as well. I have not registered this as I cannot find it on the council website so I am presuming I don’t have to. A blind eye if you like, if it’s not there it don’t exist.

 

[rubywoo]

I think a lot of London boroughs are very hot on this license as it's such a large revenue stream for the councils, it feels like there's at least one salon on every street!. They post you a sheet of A4 paper that exonerates them of any duty and hey presto they are anywhere from £250 to £4000 richer, and if you don't pay it they can close you down. Many boroughs outside London don't even require a license and some have a token nod to it. It all about the revenue streams. Sadly my local council licensing department team are fully qualified to work for the Gestapo, I don't think anyone has ever been so patronising or rude when I try to be civil, but when they know you can't complain because they hold your business in their hands it goes to their head somewhat!. Does it show that I'm a tad bloody livid!.