A SOUTHAMPTON mobile barbers has been slammed after owners boasted about still operating during lockdown and flouting the breach on social media.
Cerenbeli Grooming, owned and run by Muss Cerenbeli, is a mobile Turkish Barbers offering services from “the comfort of home”.
However, unlike hundreds of small businesses across the city, it has continued to operate and defy the lockdown rules.
Gloating on social media to more than 700 followers, the barber has posted multiple times on his Instagram page – cerenbeli_grooming – encouraging people to book appointments and showing off his travels across the city.
On one occasion, the barber travelled from Millbrook to Hedge End.
The posts, with one of the latest put online Saturday alongside the hashtag #stilldoinghaircuts, have been seen on both the page’s main feed and also its Instagram Stories – which disappear after 24 hours.
And even yesterday afternoon, he posted a call out to customers, to say he was available for appointments.
Screenshots taken from the Cerenbeli Grooming Instagram page on Jan 19
The rule breach has been met with anger from one Southampton MP, who says that it “has to stop now”.
Royston Smith said that the rule breaking was “deliberate” adding that they are “disadvantaging” other, law-abiding firms.
He said: “Everyone knows the rules and [Cerenbeli Grooming] is deliberately breaking them. Not only are they putting health and indeed lives at risk, they are also disadvantaging those barbers and hairdressers who are following the rules.
“This has to stop and stop now. The council has the responsibility to enforce businesses who are breaking the rules while the police can enforce individuals.”
Screenshot taken from the Cerenbeli Grooming Instagram page on January 10
It is understood the issue is a city council matter rather than a police one.
Southampton City Council has since confirmed they are investigating the incident.
A spokesperson said: "We take all breaches of Covid restrictions seriously and are investigating the claims being made.
"We would like to ask anyone with further information about these alleged breaches to report this on our website www.southampton.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid19/response/covid-marshals.aspx ."
The Daily Echo attempted to contact Muss Cerenbeli but he did not respond.
If action is taken against the firm, it could be fined £1,000, which will rise to £10,000 upon repeat offences
It comes after another firm, Spartans Gym, was forced to close after bosses refused to adhere to the Covid laws.
Since publishing the article on Wednesday morning, Muss Cerenbeli has changed his Instagram name to @mc_cuttz and has made his account private.
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