Customers keen to get back into beauty salons in Stamford, Bourne and Rutland
Customers are clamouring to get back into beauty salons with waxing top of the priority list.
Business owners across Rutland, Stamford and Bourne are reopening their doors this week after the Government gave permission on Thursday (July 9).
Some were caught off-guard by the short notice - but all are delighted to be back at work after 16 weeks in lockdown limbo.
Ruth Foster, who reopened Oakham-based Rutland Health & Beauty Clinic on Monday (July 13), said: “You wait so long and then suddenly you get four days’ notice! Luckily we were prepared.
“Our clients have been itching to come back. We know them so well it’s like having your friends return.
“A lot of our bookings are for body waxing - that’s the big one! But people are generally just looking to get back some normality and have that relaxation as well.”
Ruth is also chair of the Rutland Association of Beauty Therapists, which has been helping all salons in the county weather the coronavirus storm.
She said she had heard concerning news that some people had been travelling to the county from Leicester, which is still meant to be in lockdown.
“We are trying to support each other and help everyone get back on track,” said Ruth, who has been a salon owner for 25 years.
“What we don’t need is a spike so it’s worrying to hear people are coming over from Leicester. But if there are no spikes everything can continue and we should be back to normal pretty quickly.”
Beauty salons are now required to have measures in place to limit the spread of Covid-19, including staff wearing visors and masks when close to clients. They are also banned from carrying out any facial treatments.
Many are operating by appointment only and are cleaning thoroughly between every treatment, meaning bookings must be more spaced out.
Sarah Taylor, who runs Stamford Beauty with husband Pete, said they had even invested in a special thermometer to check staff and clients do not have a fever - one of the main virus symptoms.
“We’ve been ready and waiting to open but then they gave us a few days’ notice and it was pandemonium!” said Sarah, who is opening on Thursday (July 16).
“We are trying to make the experience as nice and as safe as we possibly can. A lot of my clients are slightly older so their health and safety and wellbeing is at the top of my priority list.”
She said it had been a worrying time for salon owners but she remained confident the business will survive after 10 years of trading.
“I’m quite a positive person so I didn’t worry about it,” she said. “Hopefully there will be no more lockdowns.”
She and Pete said the government support had been a huge help, allowing them to furlough three members of staff and use the business grant to cover running costs while they were closed.
“I’ve got a long waiting list which is wonderful, and I’m busy booking people in now,” added Sarah. “I’ve had lots of messages of support too over the lockdown. We’re lucky to have so many loyal customers.”
Jane Falla, who has run Gerbera Beauty in Bourne for two years, also praised the Government’s support.
“The grant was a lifesaver for me,” she said. “I don’t like to think what would have happened if the support hadn’t been there. It’s been a nerve-racking experience.
“As a new business it was really difficult to have to press the pause button. Luckily I have a very loyal customer base and a good reputation. I hope we will come through this and will still be here this time next year. ‘Hope’ is the key word in these times; you’ve got to be grateful.”
She said she had already taken a lot of bookings, mainly for waxing.
“When it was announced on Thursday that we could reopen I was in shock,” she said. “I have everything in place and all the PPE but it was still a quick turnaround to be ready to open.
“We did it though and my clients are delighted to come back in to see us. There are some that are a bit cautious and others who are just excited to come in and get their waxing done!”