Beauty salons and tattoo parlours open again but not fully back in business

Watch a video report by ITV News Anglia's Charlie Frost


Health and beauty businesses have sought to reassure customers that they are safe after reopening for the first time since lockdown.

Beauty salons, nail bars and tattoo shops across the Anglia region welcomed customers for the first time in four months on Monday following the relaxation of social distancing measures.

Spas, massage studios and physical therapy businesses have also opened their doors.

However, there are also some concerns about the restrictions that remain in place banning treatments which involve work directly in front of the face.

Government guidance states that face waxing, eyelash treatments, make-up application and facials should not be provided because of the greater risk of Covid-19 transmission.

Poppy Walker was delighted to be able to reopen her nail salon in Suffolk Credit: ITV News Anglia

Poppy Walker opened her beauty parlour in Bury St Edmunds a year ago.

Like many who work in the beauty industry she is a small business owner who employs freelancers.

While the governments small business loan has helped Poppy stay afloat, she says it didn't last long and she knows many beauticians who are struggling, especially those who specialise in facial treatments.

Poppy is relieved as her business is mainly nails, but she does offer lash and eyebrow treatments in her salon.

She believes those in the beauty sector have been treated unfairly compared to the hairdressing industry, saying they closed together four months ago, but haven't been able to reopen together, with hair salons opening nine days ago on Saturday 4 July.

She says she could reopen that lash and eyebrow side of her business safely.

Lash and eyebrow chairs will remain empty for now, much to the frustration of beauticians and customers Credit: ITV News Anglia

Other female led industries believe they too are being forgotten.

Indoor children's play areas are still closed.

Hoping they would be included in the government's announcement that gyms and indoor pools will reopen on the July 25, they still are no clearer as to when they can welcome kids again.

Tumbledown Softplay at Stonham Barns in Suffolk says it could open safely and within guidance, only allowing one family or bubble into the centre at a time and cleaning areas down in between slots.

Children's indoor play centres still don't know when they will be able to reopen Credit: ITV News Anglia

Karen Hyland who runs the centre says she has been innundated with calls from parents who want to use the centre.

She has been writing to MPs and local authorities looking for answers, as, if the centre does not reopen soon they will not be able to recoup any of the finances they have lost before schools go back in September.

Tumbledown Softplay had a new sensory room built just before lockdown began Credit: ITV Anglia News

The centre also had a new sensory room built for babies and children with special educational needs just before lockdown began.

It means very few children have been able to enjoy it and Karen believes this is unfair as for many families accessing facilities like these are vital.

Karen Hyland worked as a carer for children with special needs before taking over the softplay centre last year Credit: ITV News Anglia