A business owner has spoken out after someone reported her to the council for 'working' in her salon - despite the fact she has been closed for almost three months.

Beth Middleton was left feeling angry after receiving a voicemail at her Hythe shop, Xtreme Hair and Beauty, on Wednesday.

Listen to the voicemail left at the salon

The unknown woman on the answering machine left a message which said: "I saw you working in the salon this afternoon.

"I've reported you to the council and I'm reporting you to the federation.

"How dare you when the rest of us are furloughed. How dare you."

But Beth says she was not working and hasn't since Friday, March 20 when she closed ahead of the government imposed lockdown.

Instead, Beth, who runs the salon with mum Claire, was visiting the high street shop to take measurements for when they are told they can open again in the future.

They also took a lot of items and equipment out the shop following their closure and have started making preparations to put them back in.

Beth posted a recording of the voicemail on Facebook, along with a post: "To the ridiculously sad person that has gone out of your way to leave a message on our salon answer phone stating you have seen us in our salon and you have reported us to the federation and Hythe council because you have nothing better to do with your time.

"I couldn’t imagine having to go back to work without regulations put in place.

"Next time open your eyes to things we're actually doing."

The woman who left the message called on a blocked number so the hairdressers have no way of knowing who called.

Beth, 22, has since spoken to the council, with a member telling her no such report against them has been made.

A representative also visited the salon at Beth's request to witness that no work is taking place.

Beth said: "I was furious. It's the audacity of it.

"Even if we were working and she was going to report us, why go out her way to tell us she has reported us - you would let us get caught out without informing us if we were in the wrong.

"I posted it on Facebook and thought maybe the person who called would own up and say I've got it wrong."

It is not known exactly when hairdressers and barbers will re-open, but the government say it could be from July at the earliest.

In May, a Thanet tattoo artist expressed his disbelief after receiving a warning from the council for operating during lockdown, despite spending a few weeks renovating his premises.

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