Who we help · Salons and barbers
Opening a salon or barbershop.
Hot water, dryers and lighting, a card machine on the desk, and bookings that turn up. Here is a typical setup for a new salon or barbershop and the order we would sort it.
Your typical setup
What most salons and barbers need, and which BizUp360 service area covers it. Use one service or all of them.
| What you’ll need | Where we help | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Business registration and bank account | Business setup | Sole trader or company: decide before you open the account. |
| Card machine and payment links | Payments: card machines | Take deposits for bookings by link. |
| EPOS or salon software with appointments | Payments: EPOS | Check it can take bookings and payments in one place. |
| Electricity and gas | Utilities: energy | Water heating, dryers and lighting run all day. |
| Water | Utilities | Basins and washing use more water than a typical shop. |
| Waste and recycling | Utilities: waste | Ask the partner about any specialist waste from treatments. |
| Broadband and Wi-Fi | Telecoms | Separate guest Wi-Fi from your payment devices. |
| Public liability and treatment cover | Insurance | Through an FCA-authorised broker. Tell them every treatment you offer. |
| Accounting, payroll or chair-rental records | Business management | Self-employed chair renters and employees are treated differently. |
What to sort first
Some things take weeks, so do them in roughly this order.
Check licences
Some treatments, such as nails, massage or piercing, need a licence or registration with your local council. Check before you open.
Bank account and structure
Decide whether staff will be employed or rent chairs, and set up accordingly.
Energy and water
Agree contracts when you take the keys, so you’re not on deemed rates.
Broadband
Book early: your bookings and card machine rely on it.
Card machine and booking software
Set up services, prices and staff diaries before opening.
Insurance
Liability cover that includes every treatment, in place before your first client.
Good to know
- If staff rent chairs, they’re usually self-employed: get advice on contracts.
- Water heating is often the biggest energy use in a salon.
- Playing music to clients usually needs a music licence.
- Keep guest Wi-Fi separate from the network your card machine uses.
General information, not legal advice. Check with your local council or an adviser for your situation.
Make it a checklist
Our new-business setup checklist puts every step in order, and you can print it. Stuck on a term? Try the glossary.
Want the essentials in one enquiry? See the Setup Pack, or look at other business types.
Opening a salon or barbershop?
Tell us your opening date and what you need. We’ll get back to you within one working day.