‘I look like a Yeti!’: Chesterfield barbers inundated with bookings since Boris Johnson announced easing of lockdown

On Monday, Boris Johnson said businesses including hairdressers and nail salons are expected to reopen from April 12.

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After months of shutdown, many people are desperate to get their lockdown hair chopped off – and Carl Hague, of Brampton Barbers on Chatsworth Road, is busy sharpening his scissors.

He said: “There are lots of people booking appointments which is fantastic – we can’t wait to open again.

“Loads of people have been saying things like ‘my hair’s down to my waist’ and ‘I look like a Yeti!’.

“Safety is top of everyone’s minds at the moment and we’ll be spending the coming weeks making sure everything remains Covid-secure.

“Let’s just hope all goes according to plan – and April 12 will be a very good day indeed.”

Martin Wallis-Keyworth, owner of Less Than Zero Barbers on Soresby Street, said the phones have been very busy.

He told the Derbyshire Times: “The messages and bookings started coming in thick and fast just after the Prime Minister started making his announcement and we were answering messages well into the early hours.

“It’s been like a light switch here at Less Than Zero Barbers and now it looks like the switch has been turned on!

“We are going to keep up with the safety measures until told otherwise but we expect this to be until the adult population has been fully vaccinated.

“We’ve upgraded the shop to use the downtime productively so us being closed hasn’t been totally in vain.”

Announcing his roadmap out of lockdown, Mr Johnson also confirmed that pubs, restaurants and cafes could reopen for outdoor dining from April 12.

Hospitality venues could begin to serve customers inside no earlier than May 17.

When hospitality does reopen, the Prime Minister said that social distancing rules would apply, including the rule of six or two-household rule.

From June 21, it is hoped all legal limits on social contact will be removed, with nightclubs reopening.

Mr Johnson’s plans require four tests – including on the vaccine programme and new coronavirus variants – to be met at each stage.

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