Brief

Beauty salons now account for a third of UK leisure sites, report finds

The Impact of Beauty report says the sector now occupies a third of leisure sites and is especially dense in London, Manchester and the West Midlands.

By Felo News Desk · Published Mon, 12 Oct 2026 00:42:14 GMT

New figures released by the Impact of Beauty report show that beauty salons and shops now make up almost a third of all leisure sites across UK retail centres, with the sector accounting for more than 35% of local leisure and recreation sites in smaller high streets.

What happened

The analysis, commissioned by the British Beauty Council and backed by L’Oreal, found that there are more than 190,000 beauty and personal‑care sites in the United Kingdom, of which 39% are located outside large cities. Greater London hosts just under 25,000 of these locations – about 13% of the national total – followed by Greater Manchester with roughly 8,450 sites and the West Midlands with about 7,100.

What the reports add

Both the Independent and the Evening Standard reported the same figures, noting that hair and beauty salons alone represent around a fifth of leisure sites in smaller high streets, a share equal to that of pubs, bars and cafés combined. The report also highlighted that, on a per‑head basis, regions such as Lancashire, Devon, Torbay, York and North Yorkshire have more than three beauty or personal‑care amenities per 1,000 residents, compared with about 2.5 in Greater London.

What was said

Millie Kendall, cited in both outlets, summarised the findings, stating that the sector’s growing share underscores its increasing importance in local towns and villages across the UK.

How it came about

The Impact of Beauty study was carried out by Oxford Economics, a consultancy that previously examined the economic contribution of the UK beauty industry. The British Beauty Council, which represents the sector’s interests, commissioned the research to map the distribution of beauty and personal‑care sites and to assess consumer spending trends that have remained robust despite broader retail challenges.

Key facts

Beauty and personal‑care sites total more than 190,000 across the UK (independent.co.uk)
The sector makes up over 35% of leisure sites in smaller high streets (independent.co.uk)
Greater London has just under 25,000 beauty and salon locations (independent.co.uk)
Greater Manchester and the West Midlands have about 8,450 and 7,100 sites respectively (independent.co.uk)
On a per‑head basis, Lancashire, Devon, Torbay, York and North Yorkshire have more than three sites per 1,000 residents (independent.co.uk)