Ayr is back in business!

The welcome sound of jingling tills greeted the latest batch of Ayrshire business owners who were allowed to reopen their doors last week.

With a further easing of restrictions in the wake of the pandemic, the relaxations of the rules meant hairdressers, nail bars, beauty salons, barbers and tattoo parlours could finally open up for the first time in almost four months.

It’s been a hugely difficult time for businessmen and women all over the region.

But on Wednesday, they could afford a wry smile as they took the padlocks off, pulled up the shutters and welcomed back their customer – with the necessary PPE (personal protection equipment) in keeping with current safety guidance.

At Asylum Tattoos and Piercings, based in George Street, they reported “brisk” trade on their first day back in business.

Co-owner Jim McCann said: “We’re very busy actually. I don’t know how long it will last mind you, but we’re alright just now.”

Up in Kyle Street, at K&M Barbers, customers formed an orderly – and socially distancedqueue for walks-ins.

And Callan Gray, of K&M Barbers, said: “We’ve been busy with plenty of customers.

“We can only have two people at the bench at a time and then we have to let everyone queue up outside and make sure they are two metres apart.

“But it’s been going great. It’s fantastic.”

And it was a similar story over at Mitchell Fisher Hairdressers, in Fort Street, who welcomed back their faithful customers.

Kimberley Fisher said: “We have been extremely busy, working a lot longer hours, 14 hours some days to accommodate clients.

“It’s also more challenging working with the PPE and thoroughly cleaning after each person, but we are all delighted to be back in business.”

At Rainbow Room International, in Cathcart Street, staff reported a similarly busy return to action.

Although they are not at full pre-Covid capacity, they were nevertheless fully booked as they also seek to recover from the period of lockdown.

A spokesperson said: “We have been fully booked since we opened up and we have not had any spaces left.

“We’re choca, but we are not taking on the same amount of clients as we did before.

“We all had PPE training before we started, so there’s not really been much need of easing ourselves in, we were all pretty confident from the get-go.”

Team spirit Pictured at the Rainbow Room International Hairdressers, in Cathcart Street, are proprietor Riccardo Corvi with his staff

Back in business At Mitchell Fisher Hairdressers, in Ayr’s Fort Street, eager staff showed off their PPE equipment ahead of their reopening. Pictured left to right are Nicola Fisher, Lauren Fisher, Kimberly Fisher and Linda Dunlop

Welcome to the new normal Pictured at the reopening of Asylum Tattoos and Piercings, in George Street, Ayr, are co-owners Neil Sinclair, left and Jim McCann

Good to be back Pictured at Bodyart Tattoo, in the Lorne Arcade, are Ian McFadzean with (L-R) Hannah McQue, Tracy McFadzean Brown and Victoria Stevenson

Ready to serve you Pictured at Butterfly Beauty Salon, in Castlehill Road, Ayr is owner Wendy Gough who reported a busy reopening

Next please At K&M’s Barbers, in Kyle Street, are (left to right) owner Mark McCrorie with Amy Jackson and Callan Gray