THE defiant owner of a hair salon which has repeatedly flouted lockdown restrictions has been hit with another £10,000 fine, taking the total to £27,000.

Quinn Blakey Hairdressing, on Bradford Road, Oakenshaw, has continued to breach the current rules which require some businesses, including hairdressers, to close. 

The restrictions have been in force since November 5 in a bid to drive infection rates down. 

Yesterday, Kirklees Council said they visited on Saturday and found the business to be open and trading, so a £4,000 fine was issued.

They said police visited yesterday and found the salon to be open again, so a further £10,000 fine was issued.

This came on the back of a prohibition notice to close and fines totalling £3,000.

In an update today, a spokesperson for the Council said: "The business was open and trading again so they have been issued with a further £10,000 fine which means the total is now £27,000.

"We are now in the process of exploring alternative action."

Kirklees Council said in a statement that it understands how tough the pandemic has been for local businesses, but "it is absolutely crucial for people’s safety that we all follow the latest Covid-19 rules and guidance". 

"Kirklees currently has the fifth highest rates in the country, with 135 people admitted to hospital last week and 25 sadly losing their lives to a Covid-19 related death. 

“The law set by the Government is there so we can bring infection rates down, ease pressure on our health services and save lives.

“But it only works if we all stick to it and realise that no one is above the law. Frankly, the actions taken by this business are selfish and irresponsible.

“We will not hesitate to take action on anyone who breaches the rules that are in place to keep us all safe. Repeated breaches of Covid-19 regulations result in ever increasing fines up to £10,000 and eventually prosecution."

In a series of videos posted on social media platform Instagram, showing visits from council officers and police, owner Sinead Quinn insists she is not breaking any laws and does not consent to any fines issued. 

A post on the salon's Instagram page today, showing a police car parked on the road outside the business, says: "This is what your tax paying money goes toward. Sitting outside my business whilst i'm LAWFULLY earning a living."

The salon has cited Article 61 of the Magna Carta in defence of staying open, however independent fact-checking website fullfact.org says the clause set out rules for 25 specific barons. It did not allow the general population to rebel, and it was removed from subsequent versions of the document.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Ms Quinn has also taken to the T&A's Facebook page following an earlier story today, where the salon appeared to be closed when police visited.

She replied to one person saying: "I was open, been open since 10.30am this morning". 

Ms Quinn declined to comment when approached by the T&A yesterday.