Hairdresser calls for clarity
The owner of Sunderland hair salon Cloud 9 has been left frustrated over the lack of clarity on when hairdressers can return to work.
Debra Anne Adamson, owner of Cloud 9 on Hylton Road, agrees with lockdowns being enforced to curb the spread of coronavirus, but says the lack of guidance from the Government on when business can resume, combined with constant stop-start trading, is making a career in the industry increasingly unsustainable long term.
Although she has been given financial support by way of a Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG), Deborah says she does not receive any other self-employment help, with the grant just paying for the salon itself.
Debra says the third lockdown has been the toughest one yet.
"I personally think lockdown three is the toughest by far for everyone with not knowing any date on when this nightmare will end,” she said.
"We have thought about putting the house up for sale and buying somewhere with parking accessibility and converting a garage or building a salon from home, as this past year has been horrendous with not knowing where us salon owners are.
"I know loads of salon owners considering this option. It means not having the stress of paying the shop bills in case this ever happens again ... but we are just looking for it now, it’s not definite.”
Deborah's husband lost his job as a car salesman last year and has recently started a new role at Amazon which has helped them through this difficult time.
She says other salon owners will also be feeling the financial impact of more than ever during this latest lockdown, as they are trying to maintain a business that has had to remain closed for the majority of the past year.
“Salons have been open, then closed, then open and closed again,” she said.
"Then we have been full on when we are open – it’s not good for our health.
“Some [salon owners] are even tossing the towel in now and getting a job doing something totally different as they can’t go on like this."
Deborah believes the hair dressing should be classed as an essential business to be allowed to continue to trade during lockdown and says she thinks strict safety measures and PPE make it arguably safer than a trip to the supermarket.
She says those in the industry need to know a date when they can reopen so that they can prepare.
"Salon is personal care, we are a specific industry,” she said. “I think for people’s mental health I think it is definitely essential and I think a lot of people are feeling it this time.
"Just having your hair done in a salon gives you that uplift and makes you feel better about yourself.
"I think it should be essential and I 100% trust my working capability and salon safety measures to have 100% hygiene in place.
"The majority of my clients have said they feel safer here than in a supermarket because it is free for all.
"There is no date to plan for, and everybody will need appointments by the time they come back.
“Just a date for the relaxation a little bit – even if they said May, that’s fine, it’s something you can focus towards."