Tech-savvy salon managers who cut corners when cutting hair by not buying a TV licence could be in line for the “hairdryer treatment” from a local magistrate.
With over 90 hairdressers within the Derry area, TV Licensing is urging managers and owners across the city to make sure their businesses are correctly licensed.
A TV licence is required if anyone – customers or staff – watches or records TV programmes at the same time as they are shown on TV, whether on a TV, tablet, computer or any other type of equipment.
If the salon provides a television or other device for watching live TV and does not have a licence then the business risks prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000. (Customers watching live TV on their own devices when out and about can be reassured they are covered by their home licence.)
Since April this year, three salons across Britain have been successfully prosecuted for licence fee evasion.
Last year, TV Licensing enquiry officers visited more than 33,000 businesses, including hair salons and barber shops, to confirm if they were correctly licensed.
Mark Sterling, TV Licensing spokesperson said: “With many salons mounting small TV screens by each chair or providing handheld tablets so customers don’t miss a minute of their best-loved TV shows, live TV and hairdressing have never been closer. But it’s important salon owners and managers take a few moments to review and update their licensing requirements.
“Cutting corners, rather than hair, could land the owner in court and facing a fine of up to £1,000. A TV Licence costs £145.50 and can be bought in minutes online at www.tvlicensing.co.uk/business.”
To help businesses and staff understand the legal implications of watching programmes live at work, TV Licensing has produced a downloadable “TV in the Workplace” guide.
The guide allows managers to outline whether the business is covered by a TV Licence and whether staff and customers are allowed to watch TV in the workplace.
Download the template at http://bit.ly/198Xk6a
Tags:
