Sunderland salon reopens following lockdown with midnight haircut

After months of closure, Cloud 9 on Hylton Road, organised the special appointment on July 4 – the date when hair salons and hospitality businesses will be able to start trading for the first time since the start of the coronavirus lockdown.

Cloud 9 owner and manager Debra Anne Adamson picked up the scissors at the stroke of midnight for client, Karen College-Scott, 56, who was 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 couldn’t wait for her appointment and it was also an exciting time for staff following weeks of uncertainty.

Debra said: "It was amazing. I was nervous at first but as soon as I got my fingers into her hair, I was straight back into it.

"I didn't get out of here until three and I have been back in since 7.30am, but I am just running on adrenaline.

"I have got a lot more to get through today, but it is just lovely to see everybody."

Debra has been planning for the reopening for weeks.

She said: “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.”

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

And staff are fully equipped with PPE to carry out appointments safely, under the new Government guidelines.

Although staff won’t be wearing gloves for cutting the hair, stylists will be wearing PPE 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 have also received training on how to operate safely.

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