Hair salons take cut as talk turns to divorce

Small talk while having a haircut could soon become a source of profit for the hairdresser.

A firm of solicitors has approached salons in Salisbury, Wilts, offering £75 "commission" for every client passed its way through information gathered in the salon.

If, for example, a customer tells her stylist that she is thinking of a divorce, then she will be advised of a local law firm happy to take her case.

A man who confides that he is considering leaving his wife will get the same advice.

The referral scheme has been made by the head of family law at Trethowans solicitors. The company is making its business cards available to salons in the city, although not all are happy.

Steve Hall, of Heaven Hair, said he was outraged at being asked to "betray" the confidence of his clients.