Sunderland hairdresser set to mark reopening after lockdown with midnight appointment

After months of closure, Cloud 9 on Hylton Road, will be one of many salons across the country keen to welcome back customers for the first time since the start of the coronavirus lockdown.

And the Sunderland business plans on marking the occasion with a midnight appointment on July 4 – the date when hair salons and hospitality businesses will be able to start trading once more.

Cloud 9 owner and manager Debra Anne Adamson will be picking up the scissors at the sound of the clock chime for client, Karen College-Scott, 56, who will be the first to get her colour, cut and blow dry, done at the salon.

The Wearside florist who has been visiting the salon for 20 years can’t wait for her appointment, and it’s an exciting time for staff too following weeks of uncertainty.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Cloud 9 owner Debra said.

“It’s going to be hard work, but we have been pretty organised and ordered our PPE in the first month of lockdown as I had thought from the beginning that we’re going to be needing it.

“If you’re trying to get stuff now all the prices have increased, so we’re one of the lucky ones.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Although staff won’t be wearing gloves for cutting the hair, stylists will be wearing full PPE kit including face shields, masks, and aprons.

Meanwhile clients will also have to wear a mask, disposable gown and disposable towels.

As well as the salon undergoing a deep clean before opening, it will be cleaned regularly between clients and has hand sanatizer stations.

The team will also have received training on how to operate safely.

In anticipation of a July 4 opening Debra and her team of staff have been taking bookings since May.

“I had a feeling it was going to be reopening on July 4, so I opened my appointment book in May,” Debra said.

“We have been taking appointments on our online booking app and have been texting or calling clients who don’t use it.”

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