Hairdressers are 'just waiting for the go-ahead' to reopen, according to one Cork-based salon owner.
Della MacSweeney - co-founder of Carrigaline Organic Hair Studio in Cork - says they're waiting for the Government to confirm a date.
While July 20th - or the fourth phase of reopening - has previously been given as a reopening date for hairdressers, reports this week indicated that could be brought forward by three weeks.
Speaking on Down To Business, Ms MacSweeney said: "We're still waiting for Leo to confirm that date. We’re all ready to go for the 29th - we’ve all got our lists made up, we have PPE in store, we have everything in place.
"We’re just waiting for the go-ahead - people have been waiting a long time to get their hair cut.
“I wish we could just move on and get that open date. We definitely don’t want [the date] the week beforehand - we want it now."
Once salons do reopen, Ms MacSweeney believes it will be important to prioritise older customers who may have been cocooning in recent months.
She observed: “If we look after those, that will make their day - then we can start looking at the bigger picture of all those that have done their own hair.
“Everything is going to take longer because the hair is longer - it’s not just a reshape, it’s a restyle.
“We will only have two stylists in together with a receptionist… that really reduces our output. Maybe shifts is going to be an answer… I’ve had offers of 6am and the morning and late at night [from people] to get their hair done."
Ms MacSweeney said they can sit down and make a reopening plan once they have a definite date.
She said the hope is the social distancing guidance will be reduced to one metre in the near future, as that will make things easier to operate.
However, she also pointed to the likely environmental impact of the new health and safety measures.
She told Bobby: "The amount of PPE that is going to hit the waste bin is just phenomenal.
"We’re an organic hair salon, so we work [to reduce] the carbon footprint."
Bobby also spoke to David Marshall, founder of David Marshalls in Dublin.
Mr Marshall says he 'deplores' the emergence of 'black market' hairdressing services in recent weeks.
He said: "I heard there recently quite a well-known salon is sending out professional colour to clients, which is terrible really."
Once salons do reopen, he acknowledged there will have to be 'little bit of an extra charge' if hairdressers are spending longer with clients.
However, he stressed the goal is still to provide a "top end product for an affordable price".
