NEWS

New legislation to require essential businesses to accept cash

The Irish Government has published the general scheme of the Access to Cash Bill, which is aimed at protecting the role of cash in the Irish financial system.

Under new legislation, businesses such as supermarkets, convenience stores and pharmacies will have to accept cash from customers. However, other businesses such as salons are so far exempt from the rules.

Currently, businesses must accept cash, unless it is clear they only accept other ways to pay. According to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), this can be as simple as a sign saying ‘card transactions only’. “As long as you decide to continue in the presence of such a sign, this is considered an agreement,” it said.

If a business doesn’t clearly state that it only accepts certain methods of payment, it must accept cash.

The new legislation follows a recommendation made by the Retail Banking Review, which highlighted the role of cash in ensuring that people did not experience financial exclusion, and as a safety net in the event of electronic banking or the payments infrastructure being hit by outages or cyber-attacks.

Wella Professionals launches new education platform

Wella Professionals has launched a new subscription-based digital education platform.

According to the haircare brand, Wella Icons is a cost-effective and practical way of learning the skills, techniques and trends, from anywhere.

It will deliver live content in the form of a look-and-learn session that will be streamed on a regular monthly basis by some of Wella’s leading artists. Live sessions will be presented with live models to bring the techniques to life.

The interactive platform will encourage subscribers to collaborate, network and share knowledge – giving many hairdressers the chance to engage with other creatives, without having to travel.

However, for those who would prefer to attend the livestream event in person, tickets are available to subscribers who wish to watch the session live in the Wella studio.

Wella Icons is available to all hairdressers who want to be inspired by Wella’s artists. Topics include Texture by Jordanna Cobella, Advanced Cutting by Akin Konizi from HOB, Fashion Week Colour from Brad Baker and Social Media Hair by Fergal Doyle.

Irish stylist opens Boombae salon in Dublin

Irish stylist Ciara Jones and her wife Carley Jones have opened their Boombae hair salon and sister brand The Laser Club in Dublin, where Ciara is originally from.

The married couple founded Boombae in Manchester in the UK almost five years ago, and the business has since expanded to include two hair salons, along with four laser and skin clinics under The Laser Club brand.

Following a €500,000 investment, the new salon is in a 4,000sq ft unit based in Hamilton Gardens in Cabra. It includes 12 hair stations, six backwash stations and a training room. It also houses The Laser Club, which features three treatment rooms and three teeth-whitening pods.

IN BRIEF

■ Bellamianta has teamed up with Dancing with the Stars again this year as the RTÉ One show's official tanning partner. Throughout the duration of the show, Bellamianta’s professional tan specialists will make their way through 50 litres of spray tan, 150 bottles of Flawless Filter Body Makeup and over 100 bottles of its Glycolic Body Scrub. “We are delighted to join forces as the official tanning partner of Dancing with the Stars for the seventh year running,” said Linda Stinson, CEO of Bellamianta. “Dancing is an art form that celebrates beauty, confidence and skill, and Bellamianta is honoured to play a part in enhancing the radiance of the talented individuals who grace the dance floor.”

■ The global wellness industry has made a powerful recovery since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a new report from the Global Wellness Institute (GWI). The research found that the industry grew 27% since 2020 to reach $5.6trn, with seven of the 11 wellness sectors now surpassing their 2019 pre-pandemic values. Among the 11 sectors, the spa industry was noted to have recovered quickly to reach a $104.5bn market. There now 181,175 spas operating around the world, with the industry rapidly evolving beyond massage and facials as it adds new wellness modalities and revenue streams. The GWI forecasts that the wellness economy will grow at a 8.6% annual pace through 2027, when the market will reach $8.5trn – nearly double its 2020 size.

■ The Spa Life Ireland Convention 2024 is being held at Farnham Estate & Spa, Co Cavan. Taking place from 29 September to 1 October, the business-focused event is designed to motivate and inspire the country's wellness operators, and the brands that support them. “The service excellence at Farnham Estate is matched by the scope and quality of the event spaces, which offer us flexibility to implement different activities all under one roof,” said Killian Fisher, event director at Spa Life International.