Sunderland barbershop inundated with bookings after covid roadmap announced - but business still awaiting guidance from Government

Scolli’s in Chester Road is accepting bookings by phone or via their website, based on the Government’s announcement that hairdressers could provisionally open on Monday, April 12. The date is not definite, although the industry has little option but to assume that its reopening will take place then.

Scolli’s have had to adapt their online booking system, to increase the length of time in which bookings can be made in advance from six weeks to 10. The Government’s announcement came on February 22, seven weeks before the proposed reopening.

The shop will be doing everything possible to keep customers and staff safe and bookings are already pouring in from shaggy-haired regulars.

The front of the shop is a traditional barbers, with a ladies’ hairdressers at the back. Owner Naomi Scollen is “more than ready” to return.

She said: “I’ve never been away from the phone. It will be a bit like the last reopening in July – all hands on deck.

“We should have four barbers working on four chairs; two at the front of the shop, two at the back. Usually it would be six, but we’re keeping everyone two metres apart.

“We have the appointment system so there’s no queuing in the shop.

“But we’ve had no guidance from the Government at all. All we can do is assume that nothing has changed from last time.

“The 12 April date isn’t set in stone and we’re making people aware of this. This is because of the Government’s ‘data not dates’ approach.”

The family-run shop was founded in 1980 by John Scollen, Naomi’s dad. They were going to hold 40th anniversary celebrations in 2020, but the pandemic put paid to that.

John will be around to help out, but is no longer full time at the shop.

He added: “I’m quite happy to be the oldest tea boy in hairdressing; as long as I’m supplied with a fine selection of Ringtons tea and biscuits.”

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