HAIR salon owner Paula Wood is looking forward to welcoming back her loyal clients to the new-look business on Saturday.

Paula owns Saks hair salon in Knutsford, and has introduced a series of safety measures ahead of the long-awaited reopening of the salon to protect her clients and staff.

Hanging screens have been installed between the areas where clients will be seated, staff will wear masks and visors and staff and clients will have their temperature checked.

A maximum of two stylists will be working at one time, and each will be allowed to deal with only one client at a time.

There will be a sneeze screen on reception, clients will be asked to wear masks, although they will not be required to do so, and must arrive on time at the salon.

Paula is acutely aware of the need for strict hygiene, having worked as a healthcare assistant on a Covid-19 ward at the Countess of Chester Hospital until recently after the salon was closed temporarily because of the coronavirus lockdown.

Paula said: “I fully understand why all the changes are needed, and I hope the clients will bear with us.

“I am excited to be reopening the salon, but it’s not going to be the same, so of course I’m a bit apprehensive.

“I never thought we would be working like this – it’s unbelievable.”

Knutsford Guardian:

Paula in the salon

The salon will be open from 9am to 9pm, and appointments are pre-paid, through phone or online bookings.

“I had a waiting list of people which I have been going through, and we are more or less fully booked, with people booking into August,” added Paula.

“I would like to stress that we can still blow dry hair, which is the biggest question we are being asked.

“We are also telling clients that they need to arrive on time and by themselves, as there is no waiting in the salon.”

Everything has to be cleaned between appointments, staff cannot wear their salon clothes to and from work, have to bring their own food in and cannot take breaks together.

No refreshments or magazines will be available, although the salon will be able to offer clients water in a disposable cup.

Paula said: “It still looks like a salon despite the changes, and we will still be chatting to our clients, but hopefully this situation is not going to be permanent and we can get back to normality.”

The salon will open from 9am to 9pm on the few first weekends before reducing the hours to 9am to 6pm.

Paula previously worked at The Countess of Chester Hospital to gain experience as part of her degree in health and social care, which she gained in 2015.