HAIRDRESSERS and barber shops were ready and waiting for customers when doors opened on Saturday for the first time since March.

Nearly all women’s hairdressers were only taking those who had booked in advance but queues developed outside barber shops that were happy to take walk-ins but made clients remain outside until a chair was vacant and a clean up operation had been completed after each person.

Mike Harford who runs Mikey’s Barbers in the old Gazette offices in Market Place, Devizes has seen queues forming every morning.

He said: “It’s been a crazy,busy and emotional time but we are as ready as can be! I feel the shop is as Covid ready as it possibly can be! Thank you to everyone for their help and support.”

In Sidmouth Street Razor King barbers run by Callum Perkins and Jon Taylor have also been going flat out and drew a lot of praise from customers.

Mike Platt said: “I was a bit worried about Covid but I needn’t have been as the service and safety measures were so good.

“They thoroughly clean and tidy up after every customer. I found it all reassuring.”

In Calne H & M Hairdressers are working seven days a week to try and keep all of their clients happy and safe.

Its staff are asking all clients, including children to wear masks, and to limited the number of people allowed inside.

A staff membere said: “We will be opening seven days a week and this is to make sure we can keep you and the staff safe, by reducing the number of people being allowed in.”