Salon and gym owners hopeful after waiting lists inundated

BEAUTY and fitness businesses have been hit hard during the lockdown but owners are predicting they will be busier than ever once restrictions lift.

With most of us having to put haircuts and trips to the gym on hold, there are already long waiting lists building for when they reopen.

Pat Phelan, who co-founded the highly successful Sisu cosmetic treatment chain, said they have been inundated with bookings.

The seven clinics, which specialise in dermal fillers and botox, already have a huge waiting list for when they reopen.

The Cork businessman said: “We have had incredible demand lately. There were 30 or 40 patients on today who want to be put on waiting lists.

“I think we will be fine. The thing I’m happy about is we are a medical clinic and the doctors involved know the best practice.

“I do think the beauty side of our business is going to be a long time coming back to normal.

“I can’t see people being allowed to put their hands on people for an hour facial for example.”

Paddy’s Barber Shop in Lucan, Co Dublin, said he refitted the shop to suit the new measures.

Philip Monaghan added: “We have actually fitted out our shop with perspex screens between each work station. We have bought gloves, masks, face shields and hand sanitizers for ourselves.

“Customers will have a separate hand sanitizer station for when they enter the shop and will have to provide details in case of contact tracing.”

However, the owners of Fyre Gym in Blanchardstown, West Dublin, said they have been very hard hit.

Co-owner Nigel Crowley added: “All our memberships were frozen on the day we closed so as a small business we currently have no cash flow or relief of any sort from rents and other utility overheads.

“We still have our bills to pay as do most businesses in the same situation as ourselves.”

I want to work with firms to get you up and running HEATHER HUMPHREYS DUBLIN YESTERDAY