Portsmouth salon prepares for packed December as hairdressers across Britain reopen

Among the salons reopening this week is Jess Davey’s outfit, The Parlour in Milton, Portsmouth, reopening its doors for the first time in four weeks.

It’s set to open to a fully-booked December schedule offering colour makeovers, helping the many who want to correct their home-made hair colour disasters.

Jess is a dab hand at fixing DIY disasters after helping one customer who turned her blonde hair dark green by using the wrong products in the first lockdown. Jess was able to transform the hair back into a beautiful on-trend wave of colour.

Jess, who opened The Parlour three years ago, said lockdown has inspired new hair trends, such as the blonde bang – a bleached front piece and the root dragdown, where dark roots can be left to grow for a longer time between salon visits.

She said: ‘Because of the current situation, people are going to be having things that are low maintenance.

‘Time is really important and even with my own hair I have gone for a root dragdown to save time.’

The salon has four staff, including two employees and two freelancers, and is currently fully booked until January 4.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions the salon has 50 per cent capacity with only three customers in at a time instead of the usual six.

During the first lockdown, the business was able to keep going due to furlough pay and government grants.

Furlough pay also helped the salon during November, but there was no extra funding available so Jess is now concerned for the long term future of the business:

She said: ‘Next year will be really difficult… If things don’t improve, we may have to up our prices slightly or even let someone go.’

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Since customers are also feeling the pinch at present, Jess has started offering lower price alternatives such as a half head of highlights, saving £30.

Next year looks promising for The Parlour, which has been nominated for Salon of the Year at the English Hair & Beauty Awards 2021 and customers can join the waiting list for a Christmas appointment.

Salons can reopen on Wednesday, but The Parlour reopens on Thursday.

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