Salons struggle with business as restrictions ease
Glenashley businessman said he has not yet seen an influx of customers into his hair salon since reopening.
LAST week saw the reopening of thousands of personal care businesses across the country. Hairdressers, barbers, nail salons and tattoo parlours are now allowed to operate under level 3 lockdown, however, the resumption in services has not seen the expected rush that many foresaw.
Kumaran Govender, who owns Exquisite Hair, Nails and Beauty in Glenashley, said his business has not yet seen an influx of customers.
“It’s been quite the opposite really. Clients booking appointments are extremely wary and business has been very slow. Our entire business model and our operating procedures have changed entirely. I fear it may take much longer to return to a sense of normalcy but also I think going forward the industry will never be the same under the current pandemic,” he explained.
Related story: Salons, nail bars back in business under strict conditions
“For the past three months it’s been difficult financially on the business and we are trying our best now to build up again. We have an operating procedure booklet which we adhere to especially from a sanitation perspective.”
Speaking on the decision to allow the resumption of personal care services, Govender said he was pleased.
“I was relieved when the president announced that hairdressers could return to work. I know many of my friends in the same industry have lost their businesses due to the lockdown. I think going forward it’s going to be challenging for all businesses,” he said.
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