A hairdresser turf war has broken out in Surbiton, after a mobile hairdresser won the right to set up shop opposite a rival.
Simply Sun tanning salon in Chiltern Drive will now become a hair salon after a change of use application was given the green light by Kingston Council last week.
But it has come to the disappointment of Hair Studio opposite, which fears it will be crippled by the competition in such a dire economic climate.
A loyal customer pleaded with councillors to block it at Surbiton neighbourhood committee meeting on Wednesday, May 13.
She said: “By allowing a hairdresser, what you may end up doing is losing an existing business here. There’s little passing trade, it’s a difficult area to trade in.”
But the new hair dresser on the block insisted she will bring her existing 40 mobile clients to the area, which would help neighbouring shops in the Berrylands parade.
Planning officer Michael Johnson told the meeting competition was not a valid reason to refuse it.
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