‘For some clients the hairdressers would be their only social outlet’

Claire, who spent “an horrific amount” of money on new safety measures, including new Perspex screens and sanitation equipment after the last lockdown ended, said she can’t understand why people can visit supermarkets and shops, but not hairdressers.

“I believe hairdressing salons are the safest place to be.

“A lot of people feel safer coming into the salon, compared to going to a supermarket, because at least we are all wearing masks and our hands are constantly in water.

“But unfortunately because we actually touch hair, it is believed we are going to spread it (Covid-19) and the customer is going to spread it to us.

“It is what it is, but I can’t understand why bigger firms can stay open and we are being punished.

“You can go into a shop and queue, stand over each other, they aren’t manning the shops to enforce face masks, but we are, we are taking every safety precaution. There’s two bottles of sanitiser at each work station, clients are asked to sanitise even when they are sitting with their colour on, there’s no walking round, they just come in, sit, get their hair done and out the door.”

Claire, has worked out of her current premises for 23 years, also worries about the impact of the four-week closure on her clients’ mental health.

“Psychologically, I’ve noticed a deterioration in some people’s mental health.

“For some older clients, the salon is their only go-to place, it’s the only outlet they have.

“They go to the hairdressers for some sort of a laugh, a bit of craic, to get their hair done and to make them feel better, and now that’s gone. The wee skip in their step isn’t there anymore.”

“I’ve also lost clients and regulars because their families didn’t what them going out.”

Claire counts herself ‘lucky’ that she works on her own, with no other full-time staff, but she does have a junior that comes in on a Saturday.

“That’s one wee girl that isn’t going to have her pocket money,” she said.

As an industry, Claire believes all salons have suffered, and will continue to suffer the effects of lockdown.

“Financially you are on your knees; there’s no money being made.”

And she admits she feels worried about what is going to happened after the four-week lockdown is lifted.

“Will we get the Christmas rush, like we always did?

“I have a husband and two children. There’s Santa to consider, and your normal bills at home every month, like car insurance and mortgage payments.”