The Prime Ministers announcement that hairdressers are allowed to re-open from July 4 has been met with mixed reactions in Suffolk - while beauticians are left waiting for news of when they too can reopen.
Boris Johnson gave hairdressers the go ahead but said that nail bars and beauty salons are to remain closed causing dismay amongst nail technicians and salon owners.
The PM advised that hairdressers would have to wear face visors to maintain safety measures but said he will review the reopening of beauty salons in general, including nail bars, at a later date.
He said: “Almost as eagerly awaited as a pint will be a haircut, particularly by me, Mr Speaker.
“And so we will reopen hairdressers with appropriate precautions including the use of visors.”
Abi Cutter, owner of Lipstick & Locks on North Street in Sudbury, said: “I’m very excited that we now have the go ahead to reopen. After being closed for such a long time and after all the uncertainty, we’re so glad about the announcement. “Obviously we are still waiting on our governing body to advise us on suitable measures and putting guidelines in place but we are very excited to get going again. I spoke to all my staff once the news was announced and they are so happy about reopening.
“We will be very glad to see our clients again. We think of them as friends and we have really missed them. We had prepared for the worst regarding guidelines so we had already bought the face visors, masks and screens and everything you can think of, ready in time for reopening.
“We don’t care what we have to wear as long as our customers are safe. We have a nail desk in the window of the shop and it’s a shame we won’t be able to re-open that yet even though we have a perspex screen in place.
“It’s disappointing. But we are very pleased about the hairdressing side reopening.”
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Marie Jarvis, owner of Tegan Marie Beauty in Saxmundham, said: “I’m gutted about not being able to reopen my business. I have built up such a good client base since I opened last year and I am missing them as much as they are missing me.
“It’s been a very challenging and difficult time and I am just hoping that the announcement that beauty salons and spas can reopen will come as soon as possible.”
The De Lellis family, who own the Francesco Hair Salon and Fircroft Hairdressing in Ipswich, said: “We will initially return with an appointment-only service and no longer take walk-ins as we did before lockdown and have invested thousands of pounds in various PPE for both staff and clients, including hand sanitisers, masks, visors, gloves & disposable gowns and aprons.
“We have refurbished and re-decorated and deep cleaned our salons and purchased new equipment for our return so that we have a fresh start. One of the main things we’re looking forward to is seeing and catching up with our lovely clients and staff again on a daily basis. It has been difficult not having that social interaction.
“We’re a family business. We have a great tight knight team. Everyone that comes into the salon is part of our family, and we’re relishing the chance to catch up with everyone again.”
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Ellie Mann, owner of Eleanor Rose Beauty in Kelsale, said: “As the owner of a small beauty salon I was confused and extremely disappointed by the announcement made by our Prime Minister earlier, outlining relaxation of restrictions that will see pubs, restaurants, hair salons and barbers allowed to finally open their doors to eagerly waiting customers, however made a point of singling out beauty salons and nail bars from those allowed to re-open.
“I am obviously disheartened and disappointed from an economic point of view, and also on behalf of my loyal clients who eagerly await my re-opening.
“I fail to see what aspect of the beauty industry is considered more unsafe than that of a hairdressers or a pub?
“Yet without any explanation as to why, the government has decided to leave those of us who work in the beauty industry in the dark about why they consider our businesses to be unsafe.”
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