A barber in Great Dunmow, Essex, has sparked controversy after distributing 1,000 fake parking tickets as part of a marketing campaign. Jack Louis, owner of a men's grooming salon, placed the promotional flyers—designed to resemble penalty charge notices—on car windscreens across the town.
The 'tickets' contained a voucher offering £5 off a haircut, rather than demanding payment. Louis, 35, said he was visited by police community support officers over the stunt but defended his approach, citing rising business costs. 'Whoever shouts the loudest gets seen and heard,' he argued.
Great Dunmow Town Council described the imitation enforcement notices as 'inappropriate,' noting that some residents were distressed by the fake tickets. One local wrote on Facebook: 'My partner found one on his car and was raging.' Another called it 'disgraceful.'
Louis spent £140 on the campaign, including £70 on the fake PCNs and £70 on vouchers worth £5,000 in total discounts. He said about 50 customers have redeemed the voucher so far. 'The police did pop in and ask why I did it. But it's not illegal,' he added.
The barber, who has run the shop for nine years, said the cost-of-living crisis and rising expenses—such as hairspray prices increasing from £3.75 to £8—have made business harder. He noted there are seven barbers on the high street alone, with some offering cuts for £15.
