Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Happy to be back at work
Publicans and barbers delighted to be able to serve customers again
IT may not quite be business as usual, but barbers and publicans have enjoyed a busy first weekend back to something like normality.
Businesses across the city say they have seen a steady stream of customers in need of a haircut, a drink or a meal.
This weekend was the first time pubs were able to serve customers indoors.
Andy Keir, owner of Bruach in Broughty Ferry, said: “This weekend couldn’t have gone better.
“We’ve had no issues and plenty of great feedback from our customers.
“A lot of it was about how comfortable and safe people have felt in the bar.
“It’s just great, it feels good. Our staff and customers have really missed the experience of going out.”
Paul Russell, owner of the Bank Bar on Union Street, said: “It’s been good. We’ve had bookings all the way through the weekend and stayed open late on Friday and Saturday.
“The tables outside have been busy too.
“The biggest thing is that people have complied with track and tracing and social distancing, and that’s made the staff feel really safe.”
The reopening of barbers came as a relief for many, with hundreds of shaggy haired customers piling into salons to get their hair cut.
One barber described his flow of customers as “constant”.
James Johnstone, owner of Network Barber Club on Commercial Street, said: “It’s been mental, totally crazy.
“We’ve been fully booked, from 8am to 9pm every day.
“So far, everyone that we’ve had has been totally delighted to see us.
“I’ve had jobs with people who have given themselves balders, or had their mums cut their hair, and they’ve just come in and wanted me to sort them out.”
The barber says he and his staff have been sticking to strict sanitary regulations and social distancing measures where possible.
He said: “The job has been different, we take people’s temperature before their appointment, use hand sanitiser all the time and make sure to wear a mask.
“That’s the part I don’t like, since wearing a mask for 12 hours can get uncomfortable, but I understand why it’s important.”