Good hair day as Moray salons reopen doors
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THERE was a whole new look to hair salons and barber shops around Moray as they reopened yesterday with Covid-19 prevention measures front and centre.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the July 15 reopenings, including hairdressers and barbers, was "the biggest step so far" in moving out of lockdown.
And after a long and anxious wait for hairdressers, scissors were once again at the ready on Wednesday amid a sense of caution as well as excitement as the first customers arrived.
Appointment books have been filling up at an incredible rate for the months ahead.
Gordon Cruickshank has owned Hair and Body Mechanics, off Elgin's South Street, for nearly six years. He was delighted to see clients coming through the door again yesterday, though he admitted the preparations had been nerve-racking, time-consuming and expensive.
The salon, which employs four hairdressers and is a base for two self-employed stylists, celebrated reopening day by erecting a colourful balloons archway to welcome customers back.
Gordon said the first day's clients were well versed in the new rules having been kept up to date with changes through social media.
All the salon's stylists are back to work, with beauty practitioners due to return next week.
Gordon said yesterday: "It's so nice to see everyone again. It's been scary for everyone but so far people have been very understanding.
"I was really anxious about reopening this morning but it feels really good to be back.
"We'll be working much longer hours to see less customers than we would normally.
"There's a lot more work added to the day with PPE and masks being changed between each appointment and all the sanitising procedures – but if it keeps everyone open it's worthwhile.
"Having consistently monitored government guidelines and updates we have done everything possible to adhere to these, including the practice of social distancing, PPE and sanitising of the salon."
He added: "I think with all the new rules and physical distancing, the time with clients will be better spent. It's a lot more one-to-one. There's not so much having to stop and deal with something else.
"I think also there's been a lot more liaising with other businesses locally. People have come to me for help, I've gone to others for help. If one of us wasn't sure about guidelines we've helped each other out.
"At this point we don't know how long these policies will need to stay in place but they are here for the foreseeable."
After a rush for appointments, the salon's next colour slot is not available until October.
The salon is operating a strict entry by appointment only and is asking clients to arrive on time, unaccompanied and wearing face masks.
It has provided a hand hygiene station and all of the team are wearing face shields, disposable aprons and gloves. Each stylist has their own designated styling station and they are working two metres apart.
Karen Thomson, owner of KAM Hair and Body Spa in Lossiemouth, put together safety guidelines and graphics during lockdown, which she circulated among clients ahead of reopening.
She said: "The main aim was for us to put plans into place to ensure that when our team and clients re-entered the salon, they felt safe and comfortable.
"With this in mind, we put together our own KAM safety guidelines – our promise and commitment to clients and the team.
"We didn’t just want to let clients see all the changes we have made for themselves once we reopened. We wanted to put together a campaign, showing clients in the lead-up to reopening everything we are doing so that they know we have put a lot of thought into everything and that we truly care and want to welcome them back in as best a way as possible."
Karen added: "Today went amazing. Clients were so happy to be back and so were the team.
"It was great to be cutting and colouring hair again and back in the salon doing what we do best.
"Everything went to plan and all the preparation we put into place for the salon reopening throughout lockdown paid off.
"Working with masks and visors is hard going. The heat builds up and it’s not ideal – but we do what we have to do in order to keep our clients and team safe at all times."
