Hairdressers across England are hoping to reopen their doors on July 4 as the Government slowly eases restrictions for non-essential retailers - but will they be able to survive in a post-lockdown world?
"Yes, but it won't be easy," Ricky Walters, who owns a central London salon told Mirror Money.
"We won't be able to operate at the same speed and our staff won't be able to juggle clients like they used to. You can't cut a person's hair with a two metre gap. It just isn't possible."
But despite so much uncertainty, Ricky, who runs Salon64 in London's Soho, said he's hopeful his business will bounce back - with his fingers crossed for July 4.
"Up until March, our three-year-old business was growing by 60% to 100% a year. When the lockdown started, everything stopped.
"But we've been using the time out constructively. The team and I have been building our new loyalty club on zoom. We've also been growing the brand on social media," he said, explaining that 35% of his 50-strong workforce are on furlough.
"When the lockdown started, there was a lot of uncertainty. We had to pay out deposit refunds and eventually stopped making money, but today, I've started taking bookings again - and I already have a two month waiting list."
The entrepreneur said he's spent the past month preparing to reopen with all of the Government's Covid-19 safety measures in place.
This, according to the Prime Minister's 50-page blueprint, includes placing protective coverings on large items touched by the public, frequent cleaning and social distancing between visitors.
"We've got a whole new set of rules for when we reopen on July 4," he said.
"We've spent the past month starting again - as a business we've spent at least £2,000 on making sure we have enough safety equipment in place to welcome our customers back."
From July 1, all visitors at Salon64 will have their temperatures checked on arrival.
"Anyone who fails the test will be turned away at the door," he said.
"Our front door will be kept open at all times to keep the air circulating. Customers will be asked to sanitise their hands at the entrance and visitors will be told to keep their bags and coats with them at all times.
"We want to avoid any unnecessary interaction, so we won't be putting items in the hold," he said.
"At the reception desk, there will be a perspex screen separating staff from customers.
"There'll also be dividers between each counter to ensure social distancing.
"Our salons will also only be accepting around five bookings a day. Staff won't be serving several customers at once and they'll be dressed top to toe in PPE," Ricky added.
As part of Salon64's safety rules, all employees will be dressed in face masks and shields, body suits and gloves. All customers will also be handed disposable masks at the entrance which they'll have to wear throughout their visit.
"Our clients will be given disposable gowns and hair treatments will be carried out using disposable towels," he said.
"But we're also conscious of our environmental impact so we've chosen gowns that decompose at the same speed as banana skin."
Ricky, who said he's excited to reopen Salon64's doors next month said the past month has been like "starting all over again".
"It was disheartening hearing Boris Johnson tell the nation that salons wouldn't be allowed to reopen on July 15," he admitted.
"I understood their point of view, but at the same time, you've got dentists that have been open for weeks, what's the difference?
"But at the end of the day, it's for the health of the nation so if we need to wait a few more weeks, then we're happy to do so."
Asked about social distancing, Ricky said he's still not sure if it's even possible in a salon.
"Yes, you can social distance from the person having their hair cut next to you, but you can’t social distance from your hairdresser who is 30cm away. The best we can do is wear full body PPE, otherwise it's impossible.
"We're doing all we can as a business and we want to keep out customers safe. I'm excited to welcome them back from next month. It will be wonderful to see the shop full again."
