Anger as online sellers in Peterborough offer home haircuts in breach of Covid restrictions

The Peterborough Telegraph was informed of the listings by readers and, after searches on Facebook, found posts on private groups Facebay/Peterborough Only and Peterborough Market offering hair cuts.

Under guidelines set out by the national lockdown that came into effect on January 6, all businesses that provide close contact services are required to close.

It is also a legal requirement to stay at home except for essential journeys such as to go shopping, exercise once a day or go to work if you can not reasonably do so from home.

The Peterborough Telegraph contacted one of the numbers advertised. The Post appeared under the name Ali Barber - obviously a fake name designed to mislead.

Our reporter was offered an appointment for a haircut at an address to be confirmed on the same day for £15.

A postcode in the PE1 area of the city was supplied and we were given instructions to send a further message after arriving.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the Peterborough Telegraph did not attend the appointment.

Our findings were reported to both Peterborough City Council (PCC) and the Police.

PCC have said that they are investigating the findings, meanwhile a spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police confirmed that they had not received any reports about such activity and advised that business breaches of restrictions are the responsibility of the council in the first instance.

A Peterborough Telegraph reader who alerted us to the practice did not wish to be named but told us: “It is shocking. I have reported these posts and they are taken down but not long afterwards others appear.

“It can’t be right that people are offering home haircuts during lockdown.

“What about all the local barbers and hairdressers who are following the rules and not doing any business?

“It is a great concern and something needs to be done.”