Surrey Barber Apologises Over £2 Extra Charge for ‘Special Needs’ Kids
A Surrey barber has sparked outrage after adding a £2 surcharge for haircuts of “special needs boys under 15.” The controversial pricing quickly went viral on social media, forcing the salon owner to backtrack and apologise.
Sign Sparks Social Media Storm
Shwan Kadir, 49, runs Rayna Unisex Salon in Sutton. A photo of a sign in his shop outlined extra charges for haircuts taking over an hour, specifically mentioning an additional £2 for “special needs boys under 15.”
Facebook user Leanne Caffrey slammed the policy, saying, “I never out small businesses. But this has made me really cross.” The post drew widespread attention and condemned the pricing as discriminatory.
‘Misunderstanding’ and Quick Apology
Kadir admitted the wording was a “misunderstanding.” He claimed he didn’t know the phrase “special needs” might offend and removed the sign as soon as the backlash hit.
“We have an autism specialist here, and we had no idea. If she had told me the word was wrong, I would have taken it down straight away. I made a mistake, and I fixed it; I am only human,” Kadir explained.
The barber stressed the extra charge was meant to cover longer appointments for some children needing special care – a rare occurrence in his salon. He emphasised no discrimination was intended and that his salon is inclusive for customers with disabilities.
Online Abuse vs Local Support
Despite the apology, Kadir has faced harsh online abuse and even received abusive calls from as far as Scotland. But he says local customers have rallied behind him, sending thousands of supportive messages.
“The hate has affected me, but the local people know what our business is like. They have defended me a lot online,” he said.
Kadir also highlighted that families travel from across England to his salon because it’s one of the few places willing and able to cater for kids with disabilities.
Lesson in Sensitivity for Businesses
The row shines a spotlight on the need for businesses to be careful with language and pricing involving vulnerable groups. Kadir’s swift apology and corrective action show a readiness to learn and foster a welcoming salon environment for all customers.
