HAIR & NOW

Hairdressers call for return to salons on June 15 alongside other non-essential shops

HAIRDRESSERS have called on the government to let salons reopen alongside other non-essential shops on June 15.

The Hair and Barber Council, which represents 11,000 salons, says that most of its members are ready to open their doors again should the government give them the green light.

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Non-essential businesses across England are set to open their doors again from June 15, but the Department for Business has confirmed that the easing of restrictions will not apply to salons.

Keith Conniford, the CEO of the Hair and Barber Council, said most practitioners and barbers would be ready for reopening in mid-June.

He said: "I have spoken to a number of practitioners I know within barbering and hairdressing and resoundingly they said yes."

But the government has warned that the earliest possible date for the reopening of salons in England is July 4.

'COVID-READY'

Businesses have also been asked to get "Covid ready" before opening back up to customers.

In hair salons, this could include staggered arrival and departure times, using screens or barriers for separation and keeping the activity time as short as possible, the BBC reports.

A Department for Business spokesperson said: "The Government has set up taskforces to work with industry representatives to develop safe ways for businesses such as hairdressers to open at the earliest point at which it is safe to do so."

The news will come as a blow to many Brits who have gone without a haircut in months.

Hilarious photos have been circulating online of 'home haircuts' - with some truly dreadful results.

TRIM FROM HOME

During the pandemic, some stylists have even been flouting lockdown rules by secretly working from home.

The Sun revealed earlier this month that hairdressers have been posting adverts on classified websites - like Gumtree and community app Nextdoor.

But many stylists insisted they aren't doing anything wrong as they are wearing masks and gloves.

Some have been advertising their skills at discount prices in a bid to get business, even boasting of their training at "award winning" salons in Central London.

A post on NextDoor advertised a Brazilian blow dry at "half the cost in a salon".

One hairdresser - who did not want to be named - told The Sun: “I have a home salon, and I don’t qualify to be furloughed so I have to make money somehow.

“A few of my clients messaged me to ask if I was still open so I thought ‘why not?’.

It comes as other shops are set to reopen on June 15 with strict social distancing regulations.

These will include a ban on trying new clothes, make-up and testing products.

Tough new social distancing measures also include hand sanitiser for staff and customers, quarantining of returned items and staggering times for click and collect orders.