July? Salons want to reopen next month

Hairdressers have said they are ready to open their doors in June – earlier than the Government plans for them to do so.

The Hair and Barber Council, which represents 11,000 salons in the UK, said politicians are taking too long to give their members the green light to resume business.

Most of the group’s members would be able to open mid-June. However the department for Business said July 4 remains the earliest date this would be possible.

salons have not been able to take customers since the lockdown began on March 23.

Keith Conniford, chief executive of the Hair and Barber Council, said many salons wish to open alongside non-food retail outlets on June 15.

He told BBC Newsbeat: ‘i have spoken to a number of practitioners i know within barbering and hairdressing and resoundingly they said yes.’

He said his members would need only two weeks’ notice to be ready to start taking customers again.

The decision to open salons in July applies only in england, with scotland, Wales and Northern ireland setting their own dates. Businesses are being tasked with making their premises ‘Covidready’ before they are allowed to open again.

The Government is co-ordinating with the sector to provide specific advice and has set out guidance for where people cannot work two metres apart. This includes erecting screens or barriers to protect staff and staggering arrival and departure times.

Baz rifat, a salon owner in north London, said she has spent thousands of pounds getting her businesses Covid-ready. she has removed the waiting area, built booths and knocked down walls to allow the space to function in a way that reduces contact. Clients will also be required to wear masks.

Miss rifat told the BBC: ‘We’ve been spacing it out so we’ve got social distancing.’ she said she will wear a shield when in contact with customers and has divided employees into teams so if someone falls ill, one group will isolate while the other keeps the salon open.

Fewer staff will be in contact with customers’ hair when they come for their appointments.

Miss rifat said: ‘Normally we have assistants washing our clients’ hair but i will be doing everything.’

The Hair and Barber Council work with MPs to promote standards across the industry. However, the group is worried additional rules will stop their members from being able to do their jobs.

a department for Business spokesman said: ‘The Government has set up task forces 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.’