Top Yorkshire hairdresser tells what to expect when salons reopen in July

Hair salons are going to look very different when they reopen next month as hairdressers grapple with the new rules and safety measures that come with Government guidelines.

Current British Hairdresser of the Year Robert Eaton, creative director at Russell Eaton Hair Salon in Leeds and Barnsley, says that, although the easing of restrictions is a welcome announcement for the hair and beauty industry, it comes with great responsibility.

Robert says: “We understand that unless we all stick to the guidelines set out by the Government, all of this could be reversed. That’s why we are putting a plan in place to enable people to have their hair cut in the safest way possible, protecting both them and our team.

“The salon experience will be very different, with socially distanced appointments and stylists wearing PPE, but we will still deliver the high-quality service that our customers expect.”

The news that hair salons, along with other businesses in the personal care sector, could reopen from July 4, means that a post-lockdown hair appointment could well be very different from the pre-lockdown experience.

Robert says that the following measures are likely to apply:

Customers may be asked to pre-pay for their appointment to limit the risk of gathering around the reception desk and to ensure a quick and easy exit from the salon for everyone.

All appointments must be booked, and walk-in clients may not be allowed.

Customers may be asked to wear a face mask and to use hand sanitiser gel.

Dependent on the size of the salon, a one-way system may be put in place to help maintain social distancing and ensure touch points are safe and clean.

In-salon refreshments or magazines may not be offered, to help reduce contact between people.

There will be fewer people in the salon at any one time and appointments will be staggered to ensure social distancing, our team will be working different shifts and we will be trading longer hours and Sundays to accommodate the immediate demand for services.

Hair stylists will be wearing gloves and face masks, and potentially using protective screens, where social distancing isn’t possible.

Customers will wear disposable gowns and biodegradable towels will also be used.

Robert said: “The safety of our customers and our team is our top priority. If we do things the correct way from the outset, we hope that we will start to see some normality return in time. One thing we are sure of is that we shall all still talk about important life things during appointments and share and laugh as we always do.”

Vice-president of the Fellowship for British Hairdressing, Robert, who has been recognised in the British Hairdressing Awards Hall of Fame twice, and has been nominated again for British Hairdresser of the Year 2020, said: “Your hair promise is that you will still look and feel great when you leave the salon. We hope our clients join us in doing it differently but safely.”

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