Consumers are being warned that they may face higher prices when they return to the hairdressers over the coming weeks.
Hairdressers and barbers can open next Monday, under new Government guidelines, but it’s expected that people will face lengthy waits for appointments.
It’s been three months since people in Clare and across the country could get their hair styled professionally, and while some have attempted a D.I.Y job at home, and others have let their locks go, many are waiting anxiously for salon doors to open.
Appointments are already being booked, ahead of next Monday when hairdressers and barbers will be allowed to begin operating again, three weeks earlier than initially planned.
But health and safety protocols aimed at protecting staff and customers will be the new normal.
All staff will wear face masks and maintain very strict cleaning standards, while they’ll keep contact details of customers to aid in contact tracing, if required.
For some businesses, the changes will mean lengthy waiting lists for appointments and increased costs.
Orla McCarthy of Hair 22 Hairdressers in Ennistymon believes costs for customers will also have to go up.
A West Clare barber admits that continuing to provide a normal customer experience will be challenging.
Like most barbers, James Coughlan of Jimi’s Barbershop in Kilrush operates a walk-in service and he intends to continue operating n that way.
However, he says his and other businesses will have to operate on a trial and error basis going forward.
