Harrogate hair salons set for the challenge as reopening date draws near

The long-awaited announcement has been welcomed by salon owners, who have already been busy putting protective measures in place.

However, they are urging customers to remain patient as they get to grips with making major changes to their businesses in order to keep both staff and clients safe.

Gerri Dangerfield Keane, who has owned Dangerfield and Keane on Cold Bath Road for 12 years, said he felt both nervous and excited about returning to work on July 4 after being closed for more than three months during lockdown.

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He said: “I’m excited to see the people who I know have been isolated. They will see us as a safe haven. I want to make sure they are safe and are being cared for and looked after.

“We are so much more than hairdressers, there is the mental health element and there is the social element. People have been missing that familiarity and contact with their favourite stylists.”

Mr Dangerfield Keane explained that in order to put protective measures in place, staff had “taken the journey of the client”, from the front door, right through to the salon. Sanitiser stations have been installed, the door has been screened off and a lobby area has been created. Masks will be worn by the stylists and PPE will be issued to clients. Extra time will also be allowed for appointments.

“There are people who are feeling stressed and nervous, many have children and elderly parents, and we have to help them to gain that level of confidence in our team,” he said.

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He recommended that people take guidance before attending appointments by either emailing or calling their salons in order to familiarise themselves with the new protocols. And he urged people to be considerate of staff, who would also be getting used to the changes made to their working environment.

He said: “We just ask that they are mindful of people working there. They have been through the same experience and are just as nervous.

“We haven’t chosen any of this. We need a little bit of understanding from people.”

Mr Dangerfield Keane said he had spent £4,500 on the new protective measures, and although he had decided not to charge clients for PPE, some salons would have no choice due to the huge cost.

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“It has been a huge logistical nightmare and financial burden,” he admitted.

The salon owner said he aimed to start taking bookings from Tuesday, but was still currently waiting for further guidance on a number of unknowns, such as whether refreshments and magazines can still be provided. He is also waiting on further clarity on point-to-point contact, which would affect the roles of apprentices.

“Once we get the guidance, we will open our phone lines. We hope to do that next Tuesday,” he said. “It doesn’t feel like we are reopening, it feels like I’m opening a new business.”

Sarah Townend, owner of Meraki, in Westminster Arcade, said she was excited but nervous about get ting back to doing what she loved.

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In preparation for reopening, she has contacted clients who had appointments prior to lockdown and plans to work through a waiting list, which was opened in April.

She said: “We have fully sanitised the salon and we also got the chance to decorate and change a few things.

“We have full PPE for staff and clients if they need it.

“We will be open 7 days a week but will have to limit services until we get all our clients looked after, or until there is an ease in restrictions.”