February 21, 2020 11.53 am This story is over 49 months old

Lincoln salons bin gossip mags “fuelling hate on social media”

In the wake of Caroline Flack’s death
BodyBliss has also banned the magazines.

Three salons in Lincoln have binned their gossip magazines in the wake of Caroline Flack’s death, blaming them for “fuelling hate on social media.”

Belle Vous Hair Lounge was the first in the city to make the move on February 17, followed by BodyBliss and The Lady Cave.

All of them will be replacing gossip magazines with wellbeing, fitness and cooking magazines or more positive books.

Caroline Flack killed herself weeks before she was due in court over charges that she assaulted her boyfriend.

Victoria Kerrigan was the first in the city to ban the magazines.

Many have blamed the former Love Island presenter’s death on gossip magazines, social media, and newspapers.

Victoria Kerrigan, 28, owns the Belle Vous Hair Lounge in North Hykeham and told The Lincolnite that her customers won’t miss the magazines.

“We came to the decision together because we think that the magazines inspire all of the hate on social media.

The post on Belle Vous was ‘liked’ hundreds of times.

“I don’t think that the customers will miss the magazines. We put up a post on social media announcing the decision and we have only had a positive response, nobody has criticised us,” Victoria said.

Nicole Wilson, 26, is the manager at the family-run salon Body Bliss, also in North Hykeham, and said the magazines are full with pages of negativity, fat shaming, shaming celebrities with no make up and much more.

“It’s something that is quite close to the hearts of the girls at the salon. Quite a few of us knew of Madalyn Davis who died in Australia and she got a lot of hate even when she wasn’t a celebrity.

“The feedback we have had has been really positive, it’s not just about Caroline Flack, but about mental health for all people.”