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The much-needed midnight haircuts, the dawn retail therapy and the cheering thirsty bar-goers have heralded the long-awaited reopening of a number of businesses across England
Avid customers wasted no time on Monday to make the most of the easing coronavirus restrictions as the country took the next significant step on its way out of a third national lockdown.
Losing lengthy lockdowns and reviving beauty treatments was a priority for some as salons and hairdressers were able to treat clients for the first time since Jan 6.
Early morning queues formed outside the clothing stores and thousands of non-essential retail stores could now resume trading.
Punters desperate for a freshly poured beer can quench their thirst in beer gardens, and diners can dine al fresco on restaurant patios when the outdoor eateries reopen.
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Indoor gyms, swimming pools, libraries and zoos also welcome visitors as England takes another tentative step back to normal.
Families flocked to Colchester Zoo when it reopened to the public, where 40-year-old Tuki Rounds from Croydon admired the elephants with his two-year-old daughter Ruci.
“Like many kids, she was at curfew with no suggestions, so it’s great that she sees some of the things in real life rather than on TV,” he said.
Coronavirus – Monday April 12, 2021 /. PA wire
A symbolic “first cut” of the year took place at the Hair & Beauty Gallery in Warwick when the clock struck midnight.
Owner Kelly Boad said it “feels great to have a pair of scissors in my hands” and that her salon had bookings for the coming weeks.
“I thought it would be nice to get a cut as soon as possible and it wasn’t hard to find someone who wanted to do the hair after such a long time,” she told the PA news agency.
Coronavirus – Monday April 12, 2021 /. PA wire
The Beauty Business Secret Spa, which offers at-home salon and spa treatments in London, Manchester and Brighton, offers services from midnight.
Co-owner Emily Ewart-Perks said the confirmation of the return of personal care services sparked a surge in customer demand.
She said, “We found we had some repeat customers that we couldn’t book on the first day. So we thought, ‘Why don’t we open the first moment we can? ‘
“And then we adjust a lot of people at the crack of dawn – a lot of haircuts at 6am. This is amazing because people will get their hair cut and blown and then they can make a zoom call.
“The first day back will be twice as long as our best day so far. I can’t believe we’re here. “
HEALTH Coronavirus /. PA graphics
Customer Amy Pallister enjoyed some of the Secret Spa services during a home visit in Balham, South London.
When she got the first haircut of the day, she said she felt “amazing” after seven or eight months without one.
“I’m very impatient so I didn’t mean to wait,” she said, adding, “A little bit of self-care and pampering will definitely make you feel better, so I’m really looking forward to getting back to the pub gardens and a little more.” How I feel like being cooped up inside.
Coronavirus – Monday April 12, 2021 /. PA wire
A trip to the pub was high on the agenda for customers of the UK’s largest pub on Monday morning.
Cheers greeted the first pints of the day at Wetherspoon’s Royal Victoria Pavilion in Ramsgate, Kent.
Pippa Ingram (51) and Sue Bell (55) were among a handful of people who brave the cool sea air to try their first “real” beer in months.
When her order arrived at the table, Ms. Ingram celebrated a drink “from a real pub” and after a few long sips added: “Absolutely delicious. It will not take long! That beats. “
Coronavirus – Monday April 12, 2021 /. PA wire
In Coventry, a pub is under investigation by the city council after a long line of people formed for the midnight reopening.
Footage shared on social media showed more than 100 people waiting in front of the Oak Inn near the city’s university after plans for the grand outdoor area to open were announced
Pictures of crowds in the venue’s garden appeared to show people far apart and following no more than six people per table, but some said social distancing did not appear to be enforced in the queue outside.
Owner Darren Lee said he believed the venue worked within the rules.
Coronavirus – Monday April 12, 2021 /. PA wire
According to combined data from the Altus Group, almost 80,000 bars, restaurants and cafés can be reopened while the rules are relaxed.
However, the real estate advisor warned that it remains to be seen how many customers were actually able to welcome back outdoors.
The British Beer and Pub Association estimates that only 40% of the licensed space has the space required.
The Altus Group also announced that around 401,690 non-essential business premises are now allowed to reopen.
Michelle Walton, owner of the independent gift store Birds Yard in Sheffield, said the past year “hit me really hard” and said she had “come a long way” to adapt her business to selling online.
Now that customers can return to the store, she added, “People will see so many things in front of them today that all we can do is show them our faces, give them a smile, and welcome them back to the world. ”
At the nearby Marmadukes Café, manager Matt Andrews said it was “great” to welcome customers back into the outdoor space.
“Our first booking was at 9:30 and we really haven’t stopped since,” he said.
Meanwhile, early morning shoppers in Birmingham queued outside the city’s Primark clothing store for their first retail experience in many weeks.
In Cardiff city center, customers also formed socially distant queues.
The manager of the Hough End Leisure Center in Withington, Manchester, said she had “slept in the last two nights” to reopen.
Marika Smith said the pool was “fully booked” and there had been “great acceptance” of new members.
It is the third time the leisure center has reopened after it closed due to government restrictions. However, the staff are confident that they can stay open safely and consistently.
“It’s good for mental health too,” Ms. Smith said. “It is extremely important that gyms are open as they not only have great physical benefits, but also promote people’s mental health.”
