Falkirk area barbers and hairdressers preparing to reopen

Last week, shops with external entrances and exits were granted permission to reopen.

Pubs, cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating, such as Gambero Rosso in Falkirk (pictured below), then welcomed back customers on Monday.

As of next Wednesday, barbers and hairdressing salons will also be able to start back up for the first time in more than three months.

Clients will notice a difference when they return for a trim, though, as government guidelines mean barbers and hairdressers must introduce a range of safety and hygiene measures to protect staff and customers.

These include customers maintaining two metres from one another and businesses keeping clients’ details to make the tracking and tracing process easier should someone display Covid-19 symptoms.

Among the firms preparing to reopen on July 15 is Eastgate Barbers in Falkirk.

To show regulars and new customers what to expect when they enter, shop owner Fiona Penman posted a video on Facebook starring her children Aiden (9) and Shannon (11).

Fiona’s son and daughter came up with the idea themselves and, much to her delight, the clip has proved hugely popular online.

She said: “People have been messaging to say well done.

“It’s had 2000-odd views but it was just for fun. My daughter wants to be a barber as well and she will be taking over the shop one day!”

While the Penmans enjoyed producing their safety video, Fiona knows it’s crucial businesses and customers continue to adhere to social distancing.

The two-metre rule means only four clients will be allowed in Eastgate at any time.

Having undertaken Barbicide Covid-19 cleaning and disinfecting courses, Fiona is fully aware of the responsibilities being placed on to businesses.

She continued: “We’ve put out hand sanitiser, marked out places, put out disposable gloves and cleaning stuff, as we normally would.

“We want people to feel safe and we don’t want them to have to stand outside.

“We’re also taking their name and number when they phone so they can be tracked and traced if they show symptoms.”

Eastgate, which has been redecorated during lockdown, is fully booked from next Wednesday until Saturday.

The shop will also open on Sundays to cope with the demand for appointments.

Fiona has worked at the East Bridge Street business for 13 years and now finds herself preparing to open back up on her own following the departure of a colleague.

She hopes to bring on board another employee soon, however, her focus for the time being is on providing a high level of service as society gets used to the ‘new normal’.

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