Petition · Department for Business and Trade

Introduce mandatory licensing for all barbers and barber shop owners

Open for signatures 43 signatures

What the petition asks

We want the Government to introduce a licensing system requiring anyone working as or owning a barber shop to hold a recognised barbering qualification or meet an approved national standard. We believe this protects both customers and qualified barbers.
Barbers use sharp tools and work closely with clients, making hygiene, safety and skill essential. Yet there is no mandatory national qualification or licence to work as or own a barber shop in the UK. We believe the Government should introduce a licensing system with recognised training or competency standards to improve public safety, raise industry standards, and also to prevent any unqualified barbers from owning a shop – meaning barbershops will be run and owned by barbers for the good of the barbers’ profession.

Timeline

12 Aug 2026 Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 43
Status Open for signatures
Department Department for Business and Trade
Opened 12 Aug 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 13 Aug 2026.