Meadowhall hairdressers told girl, 7, with autism to ‘wait outside’ while parents had hair cut

Justin and Christine Clark, from Brindsworth in Rotherham, who have four daughters aged seven, were ‘angry’ after they claim Supercuts instructed clients at their Meadowhall branch, that children would have to wait outside the salon while they got their hair cut.

Supercuts have said they are limiting the number of guests in their stores due to the coronavirus crisis, but they would not ask parents to leave their children unattended.

The South Yorkshire Clark quads made medical history seven years ago when all four children were conceived through IVF treatment, using just one embryo.

Christine visited the shopping centre with her daughter, Elisha, who has autism, on Sunday, October 11 to run errands and get her haircut.

She went into Supercuts and saw customers leaving the store with their children, when she allegedly heard a staff member telling clients that only one person is allowed in the salon at once and children would have to wait outside during the appointment.

Christine walked away from the business after she claims parents were assured they could keep an eye on their children outside by looking at them in the hairdressing chair mirror.

Justin, 52, who works as a HGV driver, said: “I think she [Christine] felt angry inside, but she didn't show it.

"I was absolutely livid when I found out, not because it is my child but because of the potential harm caused to other children.

"I was really frustrated with a chain that is prepared to put a child or children into potential harm's way.

"A child may see a friend - or think they've seen a friend - and they run over to that person and then all of a sudden they could be lost, especially in a place like Meadowhall it's a big area.

"It doesn't matter if they have autism or not, being told to wait outside will still upset any child.

"As a parent, you wouldn't knowingly put your child into harm's way or give them undue amounts of stress - you just wouldn't at all.”

Christine and Elisha both went to Superdrug in the shopping centre, following their experience at Supercuts and got their haircut there.

The 52-year-old HGV driver has lodged a complaint with both Supercuts and Meadowhall about the incident.

"I just want to make sure that Supercuts don't treat potential other customers the same way”, Justin added.

"With covid, we have to make do with what we can do and make life as normal as we can especially for children.

"I am led to believe it is a one-off scenario with just this particular store, so I just want to make sure they treat all the customers fairly and saying that a customer has to stay outside is unacceptable.”

A spokesperson for Supercuts said: “Due to COVID-19 we have had to implement safety protocols in our salons, including limiting the number of guests in salon at the same time, however we would not ask parents to leave their children unattended outside of the salon.

"We apologise for any confusion and welcome Mr & Mrs Clark to contact us to discuss further.”

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