‘We won’ t need screens as we’re sticking to the two metre rule’

High end Belfast salon Andrew Mulvenna in Victoria Street is wellknown for its quality service and highly trained stylists. A Northern Ireland Hairdresser of the Year award winner and Cosmo Top 10 in the UK salon, Andrew

(right) and his team of 30 are looking forward to opening their doors on Monday.

With a state-of-the-art salon spread over three floors he has been able to retain the two metre rule to give clients extra reassurance.

A new maitre d’ will greet clients and quickly whisk them to the floor they need to be on to meet their stylist.

Andrew says: “It is only last week that we got clear and correct guidelines for our sector so it has been all systems go to get ready for opening next Monday.

“We have hand sanitisers at the front door and floor markings showing a one way system and social distancing signs.

“We will have a Perspex screen at reception but we are very lucky as a business that we have such a large space over three floors which means we can run it like three separate salons.

“We will have half the amount of available seating which will be cut from 48 stations to 24 and there will be no need for screening as we have decided to stick to the two metre rule.”

Staff will be wearing masks and visors and customers will also be asked to bring their own masks and wear them during their treatment. You can bring your coat but you must bring a bag to put it in as it cannot be hung up with other coats.

Blow dries will not be on the menu for the first month as the salon prioritises cuts and colours.

Prices will rise as the salon’s income takes a hit from the drastically reduced numbers of clients. A gent’s hair cut will rise from £36 to £39 while ladies will go up from £50 to £55.

Colouring will only be charged according to how much product a client requires to cover their re-growth.

Andrew adds: “People think hair salons are raising prices for the sake of it and that’s not the case.

“All salons are facing reduced revenue and increased expenditure.

“Hairdressing is not a high flyer occupation and we have to work very hard get the revenues in.

“Every salon will have to do it and those who don’t must not understand their cash flow and will probably find that they will have to put prices up in six to eight weeks time.”