Hairdressers say rush is like Christmas in July

Hairdressers across the region prepare to welcome back clients and rid them of their bad lockdown hairdos.

When announcing that lockdown restrictions would be eased on July 4, the Prime Minister stated that the “long national hibernation is beginning to come to an end.”

Salons and barber shops have consequently seen a huge surge in bookings, with some becoming fully booked for weeks to come.

Clare Lumb owns Studio 54 in Boothtown. They have introduced a one way system, with entering customers coming through the front door and exiting customers leaving via the back door.

The reception desk has also been moved in order to adhere to social distancing.

When entering, customers will be given a sealed box with all the tools and products needed for their appointment, which will later be disposed of or sanitised. The salon will be spending around £150 every week on PPE.

As well as cleaning in between clients, at the end of each day, staff will do a deep clean of the salon that will take at least 90 minutes.

Clare said: “Now that the government have released the official Guidelines for the country, it’s been all hands on deck.

“The phone hasn’t stopped ringing since Boris announced we could open on the 4 July.

“I have ladies complaining that they are not my first appointment. I am now fully booked till the end off July and have had to set up a cancellation list.

“My days off are usually Monday but I have opened my diary for Monday’s throughout July.

“It’s gonna be like a Christmas rush with all these new restrictions. But I can’t wait to get back in the salon.”

Soahil Ashfaq, also known as Ash, runs King’s Turkish Barbers in Ovenden. During lockdown, Ash sold raised over £150 for the NHS by selling vibrant rainbow stickers.

Ash said: “We have refurbished our barber shop and have two separate rooms for clients in order to obey social distancing.

“We are ready to welcome are amazing clients after Covid-19, we have missed them so much. We hope everyone is safe and happy and will try our best to put a smile on everyone’s faces.”