HAIRDRESSERS and barbers across Herefordshire are gearing up to welcome customers back to the salon tomorrow (Saturday, July 4).

But the experience will be very different to a pre-lockdown appointment, with many little extras stripped back as safety measures take precedence.

Bones Barbers in Hereford's St Owens Street was one of the many to announce they would be opening their doors on Super Saturday.

But in stark contrast to the pre-lockdown walk-in service they previously offered, the shop will be cutting hair by appointment only (click here to see the online booking system).

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The barber shop said they would be taking extra precautions to prevent coronavirus spreading, including sanitising the workspace and all tools between each appointment, strict hand washing protocols, and wearing personal protective equipment at all times.

Hand sanitiser will be available for customers, although the shop says customers may choose to wear a mask if they wish.

The team at Renaissance Hair and Beauty in Broad Street, Leominster, had a socially distanced meet-up in a garden to plot their re-opening.

They said they will be working longer days and Sundays to handle as many customers as possible.

In Church Street, Elle Martin Hair Salon is also readying to reopen, with a raft of measures in place to ensure the safety of staff and customers, who will be asked health questions and have their temperature taken before entering.

Other changes include cough screens at reception and between washbasins, while no refreshments or magazines will be offered.

And the cost of a haircut has also changed, as the industry is hit with the costs of providing disposable personal protective equipment.

Stylists will wear clean masks, face visors, disposable gloves and aprons and use disposable towels, and customers should bring their own face mask with ear loops, or purchase one from the salon.

"Regrettably, due to the exorbitant cost of PPE online, and no government subsidy for this, each client will be asked to pay a PPE surcharge of £2.50," the salon said.

"Any client who does not bring their own mask will be asked to purchase one of ours at a further cost of £1."

And while the majority of salons in Hereford have announced they will be opening tomorrow, it may be some time before appointments become available.

Hair Junction in Commercial Road in Hereford is one of many on the brink of reopening, but, the salon said, they will be prioritising all customers who had appointments booked as lockdown began.

The strategy is one reflected by many other salons in the county, as hairdressers revealed they had been inundated with hundreds of messages and phone calls after the Prime Minister gave them the go-ahead to reopen.