Coronavirus in Portsmouth: Barber sees work increase after lockdown restrictions on weddings eased

The Hardysalon co-owner in Southsea said her business has already been positively affected by the changes.

Rachel Hardy, who runs the show with her business partner Yasmin Leigh, said that with the green light given to weddings despite further delays in easing restrictions, the team has seen an increase in bookings.

She said: “We have had a lot of inquiries and bookings from the brides who are now able to plan their wedding, which is great for them and for us.

“A lot of brides feel more relaxed now, knowing that their weddings can still go ahead, despite the delay.

“Some had postponed booking their beauty treatments just in case to avoid having to cancel, but they are now booking knowing their big day is always going to be.

“Although they have been slightly delayed, proms and graduation ceremonies are also taking place this year, once the restrictions are relaxed in July, which means a lot of girls come in for their hair.”

She also found that restrictions that have already relaxed have also had a positive effect, including reopening indoor meals.

She said: “It’s interesting because it’s not only the events that benefit from the easing of restrictions, but it has a positive domino effect on other industries like ours.

“People have been staying home for months, so a lot of them are eager to go and book events, and they want to make an effort and have some fun – and rightly so.”

The living room is split into two sections over two floors, both with contrasting styles – the ground floor, Hardysalon, being the traditional living room, and the basement, Bouffant Inc, being a stylish urban treatment studio.

Rachel added, “We’ve seen a lot of girls walk into Bouffant Inc with their friends, even just to go out at night, dry off, have a glass of prosecco and have a different kind of salon experience.

“We call it our ‘urban underground’ because it’s like the living room alter ego and it’s quite an experience, but it works best when people have a reason to use it.”