Behind the scenes as Lancaster and Morecambe hair salons get ready to reopen

It's now been several months since UK residents were able to have their hair cut at a professional salon, and many people are more than ready to be pampered once again.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said hair salons and barbers can start operating again from July 4, as long as coronavirus figures remain low.

But in order to reopen safely, salon owners are having to put numerous measures in place to comply with strict government guidelines.

And this has meant a much-reduced capacity for the businesses.

Jo & Cass co-owner Graham Cass said he and his team have been working hard recently to get their four salons - in Lancaster, Morecambe, Kendal and Preston - and men's barbers up and running.

The changes have been particularly hard to put in place in the Lancaster salon, which is the second largest salon in the UK, usually seeing 1,200 clients a week and employing 76 staff.

Following deep cleans at all the premises, the layouts of the salons have been altered to ensure staff and clients can all be kept safe, and the experience is expected to be markedly different for visitors.

"We will be leaving two metres between every chair, and every position will be cleaned after every client, and all equipment will be sterilised," Graham said.

"The name of the stylist will be on the chair, and each client will stay with that chair throughout, except for their hair wash. Stylists will also shampoo their own clients."

Staff will use 100 per cent biodegrable disposable towels, and gowns will be machine washed between each client if disposable gowns are not available.

All staff will also wear masks, visors and gloves, and the reception area will be shielded. Clients will have access to hand sanitiser on arrival, and are asked to bring masks that fix behind their ears if possible.

They can also expect to have their temperature taken, and will be given plastic bags to keep their belongings in during their appointment.

Clients will be asked to pay either by card or BACS where possible.

Graham said staff will be working long hours and seven days a week to fit all their clients in for at least the first six weeks after opening, and appointments are in the process of being organised.

"We are very lucky that we have got such a large salon in Lancaster," he said. "Every second chair will be removed to give the required space, and we are lucky that we can do that.

"But everything is going to take that little bit longer than normal.

"Clients will be asked to arrive promptly as times will be staggered and there will be two shifts of stylists."

While no magazines will be available for the foreseeable future, iPads can be used and clients are invited to bring their own reading material.

Graham said advice is also being sought on whether refreshments can be served as usual, and a risk assessment will be carried out.

"If it's too risky, we will still be able to offer bottles of water at least," he said.

"We are renowned for being a luxury five star salon and we want to keep that going but it's going to be very challenging for us."

Children and pregnant women will have their hair cut in a separate room, and The Men's Room and Temperance Club barbers will both be running on reduced staff, and will be changing to an appointments only operation.

Beauty treatments will not be returning to normal just yet, however, although Graham said it was hoped some treatments such as nails and facials would be possible.

In addition to the Covid-19 enforced changes, the Lancaster salon has also had a complete rewiring and repainting during the closure.

And Graham said staff are all looking forward to returning.

"They can't wait to come back," he said. "They have been doing online training and health and safety training to keep their skills up while they are on lockdown.

"We have also been doing some dummy runs to see how things will work.

"We're looking forward to getting back and seeing all our clients again as soon as we can."

Meanwhile, smaller salons face similar challenges but are also faced with the stark financial effect that a reduced number of clients coming through their doors is likely to bring.

Natalie Hamilton, who runs Hamilton hair salon in Morecambe, said they would normally treat six clients at a time, with three seats available for waiting clients in recpetion.

However, when they reopen they will only be able to treat half this number, in order to fulfil social distancing requirements, and there will be no waiting area.

Instead, the front door will be locked with appointments needing to be pre-booked and customers greeted as they arrive.

"Everything is already in place so we are ready for opening," Natalie said. "Clients will be asked to arrive for appointments at the time they have booked and on their own.

"Anti-bacterial hand sanitiser will be at reception in an automatic dispenser ready for when you arrive and when you leave the salon.

"We will greet you at the door on your arrival, wearing facemasks and gloves if required. If clients are required to wear face masks please do so, however we will be able to provide them at a very small cost so we can replenish them.

"Please leave coats and personal belongings in your car; plastic bags will be provided for purses, handbags, wallets, etc.

"You will be shown to your seat straight away, which will be fully disinfected after every client."

All aprons, gowns and towels will be single use, and there is now a designated section in the salon for disinfecting and sterilising all of the salon's tools between each client.

The bathroom has anti-bacterial hand soap and hand cream on mounted dispensers, and disposable paper towels.

Natalie added: "All staff are completing online courses for health and safety, disinfecting and sterilising for Covid-19 standards. They will be displayed in the salon.

"Clients' refreshments will still be offered if we are allowed to, or we encourage you to bring your own if we are not allowed to supply."