Manchester hairdressers becomes first UK salon to install coronavirus-killing tech
Award-winning Reuben Wood Salon, which has stood on High Street for 16 years, has added the filtration system to offer greater protection for customers - meaning they can now come in for a cut with complete confidence.
A Northern Quarter salon has become the first in the entire country to install a revolutionary Far UV filter air disinfection system that kills COVID-19.
Award-winning Reuben Wood Salon, which has stood on High Street for 16 years, has added the filtration system to offer greater protection for its customers – meaning they can now come in for a cut with complete confidence.
The Hepacart Germ Buster 5000, which has been labelled a “game-changer in infection control”, uses state-of-the-art Far-UV light technology from America; the kind typically found in U.S hospital operating theatres.
Reuben’s entrepreneur brother Jordan brought the filter system to the domestic market – and his sibling has since become the first to harness the tech for his busy salon.
Salon partner Karl Collins said: “When the government confirmed that salons could re-open, Reuben and I thoroughly read the official guidelines and all the up-to-date information from the British Hair Federation.
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“Although we were confident about reopening our business, we were also looking for other ideas to keep our ten stylists and our clients as protected as possible.
“Reuben knew his brother was working on Far-UV technology but we weren’t sure if it was the kind of equipment you could have in a hair salon. We had wrongly assumed it would be a huge piece of laboratory style equipment that would be installed in the ceiling of a hospital but that just isn’t the case. This kit isn’t invasive, not as expensive as you might think, and can be fitted anywhere.
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After realising the benefits of the kit, Karl called the addition “a no-brainer”.
“The response from our clients and staff has been amazing, it seems to reassure them that we have taken their wellbeing into consideration,” he said.
“Reuben and I just wanted to do all we could to keep everybody who comes into our space, safe.
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“With all the team using full PPE, and clients wearing face masks, the Germbuster gives everyone who comes into the salon extra peace of mind.”
Far-UV light has been proven to destroy coronaviruses, SARS, MRSA, influenza, tuberculosis, measles, bacteria and pathogens.
Whilst typical UVC light has previously been used as a means of disinfecting hospital wards and operating theatres for decade, these lamps operate at a harmful wavelength that can cause damage to the skin – meaning they can only be used in empty areas.
Far-UVC lamps, however, emit shorter wavelengths – safely absorbed by proteins in the skin.
One of Reuben’s regular clients Debra Williams – a nurse who works in operating theatres at Manchester Royal Infirmary – said the tech made her feel comfortable and safe when she went for her much-anticipated post-lockdown cut and colour.
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She said: “I have never seen or heard of this kind of technology before. I didn’t know what the silver box was in the salon, but when the science behind it was explained to me, I was so impressed.
“Knowing that Reuben and Karl have gone that bit further and invested in this groundbreaking technology for their salon makes me feel very comfortable that this effort has been made to make me and their staff a lot safer from infections.
“After leaving the salon I went home and researched Far-UV cleaning light technology. I know it’s very new, and would make such a difference if it was in every hospital, as it would help so much in the fight against coronavirus and other killer infections.”
Jordan, explains: “There is no other company in the UK doing Far-UV light disinfection yet and Reuben’s salon is certainly the first salon in the UK, and possibly Europe, to use Far UV infection control technology.
“I was blown away when I discovered the Hepacart technology in America, knowing how many health associated infections there are each year in the NHS, costing an estimated 1.2 billion and countless lives.
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“It didn’t surprise me when I compared the methods used currently in the NHS, to the Hepacart technology available in America. Over the last six months Hepacart has been deployed in some of the major NHS hospitals the UK taking the standard of infection control for estate managers to another level.
“I knew this equipment would be perfect for them as the Germbuster makes the air cleaner for everyone in the room, so there’s significantly less risk of infection.”
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Local BID board launch new ‘Visit Alty’ app ahead of Taste of Altrincham 2026
Danny Jones
One of Trafford’s resident BID (Business Improvement District) board have officially launched their brand-new ‘Visit Alty’ app for the market town ahead of this year’s A Taste of Altrincham festival.
Set to be a dedicated one-stop where residents can find out what’s going on in and around the area, the platform is already available on the likes of the Apple App Store and Google Play for Android phones.
As A Taste of Alty returns for 2026, this is just the second instalment in the total 10-day food and drink party – with a big opening weekend celebration starting this Friday, 27 February – the latest innovation by Altrincham BID is hoping to keep residents more up to date on their village than ever.
Sponsored by native law firm Myerson Solicitors and supported by various local businesses, the sophomore edition of the now annual festivities serves as the ideal staging event for the fledgling Visit Altrincham app.
Running until Sunday, 8 March, A Taste of Altrincham is even bigger this time around. (Credit: Press shot)
With a full programme events kicking off this weekend, the app itself is ideal for keeping track of everything going.
In addition to workshops, live demos by regional chefs, supper clubs, wine tastings, the latest ‘Ultimate Pudding Competition’ and lots of other special events, it can be hard to keep track of everything.
That why, like any good festival, the app has a full map and guide featuring all the key info.
Beyond just the event itself, the app itself is aimed at supporting local independents and more by helping to increase their exposure, sign-post daytrippers to the old Cheshire holdout’s best bits, and push more and more people to one of the borough’s blossoming suburb in general.
Teaming up with a number of popular locations in and around the town centre, it’s a real come one, come all affair – just as things should be.
Residents and visitors alike can also found physical printed copies of the full Taste of Alty ’26 programme nearby at the likes of Altrincham Library, the Bee Network Interchange, as well as OYEZ Arts at the Town Hall.
Created with digital town hub partners, Loqiva, co-founder Marcus Chidgey said in a statement: “We’re pleased to be partnering with Altrincham BID to support Altrincham’s continued growth.
“With a strong independent business scene, an award-winning Market and excellent transport connections to Manchester, the Visit Altrincham app offers a new way for people to discover and explore the town.”
As for the local BID department, Alty’s director Mandy White added: “If you haven’t downloaded the Visit Altrincham app yet, now is the perfect time. It’s a simple way to find out what’s on, discover local businesses and unlock exclusive offers, especially during A Taste of Altrincham.
“The app helps people get more from their visit while supporting our independent businesses and high street brands.”
The Visit Altrincham app is FREE to download right now – you can find it HERE.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via Altrincham BID)
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The local family and fellow Mancunians campaigning to create ‘Kimberley’s Law’ in the UK
Danny Jones
The name Kimberley Louise McAssey might not be familiar to you, but one Manchester family’s hope is that a law proposed in her honour could see her memory kept alive in the minds of many across Great Britain and beyond.
For anyone who doesn’t know the tragic story, Kimberley McAssey, a young mother of just 29 from Prestwich, sadly died after lying unresponsive for more than 30 hours.
It was during this time that decomposition resulted in coroners being unable to deliver a proper post-mortem, meaning not only did the irresponsible delay in contacting authorities prevent potential life-saving measures from being carried out, but also her cause of death from ever being fully determined.
Now, a whole five years on from her passing, the McAsseys, loved ones, locals, and those who have continued to push for crucial updates to legislation as part of the ‘Kimberley’s Law’ campaign across the UK, are finally starting to receive some promising responses from key figures.
As well as Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and his office replying in a lengthy letter to the family, Labour MP for Salford, Rebecca Long Bailey, has also promised to examine proposals put forward to Parliament moving forward.
Colleague Christian Wakeford (Bury South) has also shown his support for the cause in the past.
The most significant part of their calls for change comes down to the fact that, surprisingly, it is not currently against the law to postpone and/or avoid calling for an ambulance entirely – something that they and so many others agree seems shocking, to put it mildly.
As a result, Sheridan wasn’t directly charged regarding her death, though he has since been prosecuted and was sentenced to prison on Class A drug possession charges.
Sheridan also declined to attend Kimberley’s inquest at Rochdale Coroners’ Court back in 2024, despite being summoned to give evidence and being the sole witness to the incident.
Credit: Kimberely’s Law Facebook page.Politicians are finally taking notice, but now they need fellow Mancs to get behind them.
It will never be known whether or not the Prestwich resident could have been rescued, nor will we ever be able to truly and definitively confirm how she died, but those committed to remembering are hoping to make sure that situations like this can be avoided in the future.
With family friend Bonnie Greaves and countless other natives to the area having already helped get behind the cause, a petition to the UK government has now surpassed 10,000 signatures.
However, as always, it requires ten times that amount to guarantee it is brought up in the House of Commons, so nearly half a decade on from her passing, people are once again calling for Kimberely Law’s to be brought forward not just as a bill, but as a matter of morality.
You can find out more and sign the official Kimberley’s Law petition for yourself right HERE.
The Manc -
31st July 2020 
