Bartletts Blog

New Year’s Eve will bear a semblance of normality this year, in England at least, after the government gave mass events the go-ahead and nightclubs permission to open, in contrast with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland where restrictions on social gatherings and mass events are in place. Many women will be rushing to book last minute appointments at salons to look their best at parties and family gatherings, and as our solicitors have seen in previous years, an unfortunate number will have their big night ruined by botched hair and beauty treatments.

Various hairdresser treatments can cause hair loss and skin damage if performed incorrectly, including dyeing, straightening and extensions. The chemicals contained in hair treatment solutions can cause scalp burns and accompanying hair loss if they are not applied correctly, or if a particular product is unsuitable for a person’s hair or skin type. Allergic reactions are another possible consequence of exposure to unsuitable hair and beauty treatment products, and may also result in skin damage and hair loss. Burn injuries and torn skin are a common result of botched beauty treatments like waxing, while other beauty products may also damage the skin (particularly around the eyes) and cause allergic reactions.  

Hair and skin damage of this kind is particularly embarrassing, distressing and inconvenient when a treatment has been booked in advance of a special occasion like New Year’s Eve, and there is often a financial cost involved, not only for correctional procedures and/or medical treatment, but also for cancelled reservations and bookings. Uniquely, we offer an experienced all-female team of lawyers specialising in hair and beauty treatment injuries and claiming compensation from hairdressers and beauty salons, not only for the physical effects of their negligence, but also for the emotional pain and suffering caused, which is very often the worst part of the whole ordeal.

Find out more about our hairdresser and beauty treatment injury service:

https://www.bartlettslaw.co.uk/hair-beauty/hairdresser-injury-compensation.html

https://www.bartlettslaw.co.uk/hair-beauty/beauty-treatment-injury-compensation.html

National Museums Liverpool (NML) are implementing a number of additional safety measures at their venues in response to the risks posed by the Omicron variant and the government’s new restrictions. Mask wearing is now mandatory in all of NML’s museums, galleries and shops (unless exempt), which continue to operate at reduced capacity in order to maintain social distancing. Hand sanitisers are available at entrances and key points, while venues are cleaned regularly throughout the day.

While the hope is that these additional measures will be short-lived, the worry is that rising infections could lead to the return of lockdowns and the temporary closure of museums and galleries. The other issue is that the festive season is a crucial period for most public venues and institutions in terms of income generation. Falling visitor numbers and cancelled bookings are already posing challenges for NML’s museums and galleries, which have already experienced an exceptionally difficult 20 months dealing with the impact of the Covid pandemic.         

Some of the city’s most renowned museums and galleries including the Museum of Liverpool, World Museum, the Maritime Museum, the International Slavery Museum, the Lady Lever Art Gallery, and our special friends and partners at the Walker Art Gallery face a challenging winter, meaning that public support is more important than ever in helping to create and maintain memorable experiences for everyone. National Museums Liverpool offers individual, joint and family membership options, with exclusive benefits including free entry to exhibitions and the Planetarium, invitations to exclusive events and discounts. Donations and corporate support are also welcome:

https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/join-and-support

Something to look forward to next year from our friends and partners at the Walker Art Gallery is The Tudors: Passion, Power and Politics exhibition, opening in Liverpool on 21 May 2022 and running until the end of August. This major exhibition will feature almost 70 of the most famous portraits from the National Portrait Gallery’s Tudor collection, paintings from the Walker Art Gallery’s own collection and a selection of additional loans, making it a rare opportunity to discover and explore the Tudors from a range of perspectives.

The Tudor dynasty reigned over England for over 100 years, and produced two of history’s most iconic monarchs in Henry VIII and his daughter Elizabeth. Other celebrated figures from the period featured in the exhibition include Thomas More, Thomas Cromwell, Mary Queen of Scots and William Shakespeare. One of the highlights will be a rare portrait of Henry VIII’s third queen, Jane Seymour, and aspects of black history and LGBTQ+ history from the period will also be explored.

The exhibition will feature around 100 objects in total, including the Westminster Tournament Roll celebrating the birth of Henry VIII’s son with Catherine of Aragon in 1511, which has not been displayed in public for almost 20 years. Thought to be the only surviving item from Elizabeth I’s wardrobe, the Bacton Altar Cloth has been loaned to the Walker Gallery for the event. Finally, the Armada Maps, recently saved for the nation and illustrating the famous Spanish naval attack on England in 1588, will also be on display.    

This will be the first time that so many of the most renowned paintings from the National Portrait Gallery’s Tudor collection and objects of unique historical interest from the period have been exhibited outside of London, making The Tudors: Passion, Power and Politics a major event in the city’s cultural calendar, as well as a considerable accomplishment on the part of the team at the Walker Art Gallery.

Tickets for The Tudors: Passion, Power and Politics are available to book online, priced at £13 for adults, £12 for concessions and £6 for children:  

https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/whatson/walker-art-gallery/exhibition/tudors-passion-power-and-politics

Quick weaves are a hairstyle that dates from shortly after the introduction of weaves in the 1950s. Tracks (wefts) of hair extension are glued to an easily applied and removed cap, which allows for an unlimited range of lengths, styles and colours. A quick weave takes roughly half the time of a full weave, and will generally last up to 4 weeks before needing to be removed.

Although they can be installed at home, quick weaves require a significant amount of skill to install correctly, and both poor technique and human errors on the part of a stylist can cause unacceptable results and lasting hair damage. However, the main problem with quick weaves is the bonding glue used in the procedure. The glue can bond with the natural hair if the quick weave is not installed properly or the cap is of poor quality, and the natural hairs may then be pulled out when the quick weave is removed, damaging the follicles. 

It is essential that stylists use high quality caps, glue and solvents to minimise the risk of these products damaging clients’ hair and scalp. Poor technique on the part of stylists when installing or removing a quick weave can cause breakage and hair loss, while excessively tight extensions will create tension on the natural hair strands, potentially with the same results. While quick weaves are a popular and versatile hair styling technique, therefore, they are not without their risks, and prospective clients should check the experience and skill of their chosen stylist carefully before undergoing a quick weave procedure.

Our firm offers an all female team of lawyers specialising in claiming compensation for hair treatments that have gone wrong. If you have been left with hair or scalp damage from a quick weave, contact us for free advice from a law firm you can trust.
    
https://www.bartlettslaw.co.uk/hair-beauty/hairdresser-injury-compensation.html

This coming Sunday 28th November at 5.30pm, Liverpool Cathedral is once again holding its spectacular From Darkness to Light service to mark the first Sunday of the Advent season.

The service begins with the entire Cathedral in total darkness, and as the procession, accompanied by music, slowly wends its way from the west end to the east end of the building, the darkness is gradually transformed by more and more light from the candles held by the procession’s participants and the Cathedral’s natural lighting.

When the procession reaches the Altar at the east end of the building, the Cathedral is bathed in light, creating a warm, welcoming and stunning effect that symbolises both the daily rhythms of our lives, and the light which Christ and the Word of God bring into the hearts and lives of Christians. At the end of the service, the procession retraces its steps signifying Christ’s second coming.

The From Darkness to Light Advent service was not held last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making this year’s service all the more special and heralding the start of a more typical festive season at Liverpool Cathedral. Admission is free and no booking is required. The Cathedral doors open at 4.30pm, and bell ringing will take place before the service from 4pm to 5.30pm. 

Bartletts Solicitors are proud to be long-term supporters of Liverpool Cathedral, with Thomas Bartlett, a direct ancestor of the firm’s owners, leaving a bequest for the construction of the array of 13 bells for the new cathedral which was then being built in 1912. We wish our friends and partners at Liverpool Cathedral all the very best wishes for the upcoming festive season!

https://www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk/darkness-to-light-service

The Museum of Liverpool is reopening its popular Wondrous Place gallery next Friday, 26th November, showcasing and celebrating Liverpool’s internationally recognised roll call of creative talent in music, sport, cinema, TV, comedy, art, poetry and more. New displays and immersive experiences help visitors better understand the city’s array of trailblazing talent, and its genuine influence around the world in different creative spheres.  

The new Stage and Screen display looks at how Liverpool has been used as a backdrop for Hollywood blockbuster films and award-winning TV shows, and also explores some of Merseyside’s less well-known cultural creators, including writers, producers and performers. Among the famous items of costume on display are iconic Beatles’ suits, one of Lita Rosa’s favourite stage dresses, a Melanie C stage costume worn on the Spice Girls’ 2019 Spice World tour and Cillian Murphy’s cap from the BBC gangster drama Peaky Blinders.

Liverpool’s sporting legacy is not overlooked, with Bill Shankly’s trademark overcoat taking pride of place alongside other more recent items such as 2019 heptathlon world champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson’s running shoes, Grand National winner Rachael Blackmore’s racing silks and Natasha Jonas’ Team GB boxing shorts. The Wondrous Place gallery also examines the region’s gaming industry and offers visitors the chance to play some of the iconic games developed in and around Liverpool.

The Wondrous Place gallery reopens on 26th November 2021. The Museum of Liverpool is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am – 4pm. Visitors can explore Liverpool’s fascinating, diverse history in this magnificent waterfront museum:

https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/whatson/museum-of-liverpool/exhibition/wondrous-place

There is no doubt that the last 18 months have been incredibly tough for pub owners and tenants across the UK, with the latest figures suggesting sales over the 12 months to September this year were 45% down on the same period in 2019. The industry’s struggles mean that more pub buying opportunities are coming on the market, and sound legal advice for both prospective buyers and sellers can be critical to the success of the purchase or sale of a pub.

Our business purchases and sales team offers a cost-effective and efficient fixed fee service for buying and selling pubs. We can advise pub buyers on whether a freehold, leasehold or tenanted pub purchase is the best option. We can also help both buyers and sellers negotiate lease terms, tenancy agreements, or the transfer documentation or contract for sale of the business in the case of a freehold purchase.

Checks and enquiries need to be made to establish the seller’s title to the pub, as well as any other interests or restrictions affecting the property and the legal viability of the business. It is essential for pub buyers to know as much about the finances of the business they are buying as possible, and an accountant with experience of licensed properties will need to examine audited accounts and related financial information to avoid any nasty surprises for the buyer down the line.

In June this year, James Edwards, a commercial property solicitor at Bartletts, received a five star review on Trustpilot for his handling of the sale of a public house. The client had used our commercial property legal services before, and commented on James’ ‘very efficient service’ which made for ‘an easy sale’. Our experience and expertise in this area means we serve prospective pub buyers and sellers nationwide. Give us a call for a free no obligation discussion.

https://www.bartlettslaw.co.uk/legal-advice-on-a-pub-purchase.html

A recently released survey of both private and social tenants across the UK has found that a shocking two thirds of respondents experienced a disrepair issue during their tenancy, with almost four fifths of London tenants reporting disrepair of some sort, making it the UK’s disrepair capital. The most common disrepair issue was damp caused by water leaking into properties due to disrepair issues such as water leaking through roofs, rotten window frames, and cracked and damaged pipes.

Every year, almost half a million tenants report dampness in their homes according to the English Housing Survey, with over one third of all tenants experiencing dampness in their properties during the past five years, and roughly one quarter reporting a recent mould infestation. Damp and mould are often the result of water leaks and broken pipes, disrepair issues which landlords are obliged to address within a reasonable time frame. How long is judged to be ‘reasonable’ will depend on the specific circumstances, but landlords are expected to act promptly when disrepair issues are reported to them, and urgently if the problem poses a risk to tenants’ health.  

Landlords are responsible for the exterior of their properties, including the roof, water and gas pipes, boilers and other appliances. Loss of heating or hot water can make a property uninhabitable in a short space of time, especially in winter, yet the survey revealed that tenants wait 41 days on average for reported disrepair issues to be resolved, while almost a quarter reported having to wait more than six months for their landlord to take action. Leaking water, blocked pipes and roof damage are the most common problems that tenants experience according to the research, disrepair issues which can contribute to damp and mould at properties.

Damp and mould can cause health problems for tenants, including asthma, flu-type symptoms, infections and allergies. Tenants are often able to claim compensation for medical issues caused or made worse by damp and mould, as well as damage to personal possessions. Specialist housing disrepair solicitors like Bartletts can also help local council and housing association tenants obtain a court order for repair work to be carried out:

https://www.bartlettslaw.co.uk/accidents-at-home/suing-a-housing-association-for-injury.html

Recent figures from the Department for Transport show that 100 road users and pedestrians were injured in collisions with e-scooter riders during 2020, while 383 riders were also injured in accidents. Given the surging popularity of both rental and privately-owned e-scooters, the equivalent figures for 2021 are likely to be substantially higher, as safety concerns regarding the use of e-scooters in public areas continue to grow.

The figures reveal that 21 cyclists, 22 people in vehicles and 57 pedestrians were injured in accidents involving e-scooters last year, with 13 pedestrians seriously injured. This shows that all road users are at risk from e-scooter riders, with the charity Guide Dogs reporting visually impaired people are having to either change their usual routes or stop travelling independently altogether due to the perceived danger from e-scooters and their riders.

While e-scooters are not allowed to be ridden on pavements (and only rental e-scooters can be used on roads), they are unfortunately becoming a common sight across the UK. The vehicles are supposed to be limited to a top speed of 15.5mph, but many privately-owned e-scooters can travel much faster. The popularity of e-scooters reflects their convenience as a means of transport in urban areas, especially among young people, some of whom ride them irresponsibly and without wearing helmets.

E-scooter riders are themselves extremely vulnerable if they lose control of their vehicle and are involved in an accident, but they also pose a serious risk to pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. With reports indicating that the government is likely to legalise the personal use of e-scooters in public areas in the next 12 months, an increasing number of e-scooter accidents are likely to be recorded across the UK in the future.

Find out more: https://www.bartlettslaw.co.uk/road-accident-claims/who-is-reponsible-for-an-escooter-accident.html

Zoë’s Place Baby Hospices in Liverpool, Coventry and Middlesbrough are hoping to repeat the success of last year’s 30 in 30 Challenge during October this year, and raise vital funds to enable the independent registered Children’s Charity to continue to provide its free services to families that need them most.

The 30 in 30 Challenge invites individuals or teams to cover 30 miles in 30 days by walking, jogging, running, swimming or cycling, and to encourage friends, family and colleagues to donate and reward participants’ efforts. You can also set your own distance target if you think you can manage more than 30 miles during the month of October.

The 30 in 30 Challenge is a great way to get fit, have fun and make a much-needed contribution to Zoë’s Place, and the services it is able to provide to infants aged 0-5 years with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. Zoë’s Place has lost hundreds of thousands of pounds during the pandemic due to cancelled events and a drop in donations, so now is the perfect time to get involved and help secure the charity’s future.

To give an idea, it costs £30 an hour for respite care for one child at Zoë’s, while £45 provides one hour of music therapy for a child, and £100 would cover a day out for four children. Every donation helps provide short-term regular care with dedicated nursing staff, in a home from home environment to give parents and carers a well-deserved break.

You can find out more about the 30 in 30 Challenge and sign up to participate on the Zoë’s Place website: https://www.zoes-place.org.uk/events/2435/30_in_30_challenge_returns