Shoreham barbers set to reopen at midnight to meet huge demand for haircuts

Shoreham Barbers in High Street, Shoreham, will be opening its doors at one minute past midnight on July 4 – the date on which they are officially allowed to reopen.

Simon Gardner, who runs the business with his wife Laura, said they had 80 bookings for Saturday alone already.

He said people had been booking slots all through the early hours of the morning, right up until 9pm, and there will also be a walk-in service on the day.

“The phone hasn’t stopped ringing,” he said. “People have been booking in slots for 3.40am.

“People are setting their alarm because they are so excited to get a haircut.”

But he said he was not surprised by the interest.

“We’re well established,” he said. “The customers have been waiting.

“Everyone has been stuck indoors for so long.

“It’s something interesting to do, it’s a treat for them.”

He added: “I’m expecting everyone to have hair three times’ as long as before.”

The shop will be open for 12 hours a day the following week, from 8am to 8pm, to keep up with demand. “It’s just to try and catch up,” he said.

To help keep customers safe, the waiting area has been reduced and screens have been put in place between each section of the room.

Staff will be wearing face visors and will carry out extra cleaning between seeing each customer.

A hand sanitiser station is in place at the entrance, and customers will have to sign a form as part of the track and trace scheme.

Mr Gardner, who also owns the Southwick Barbers, said it had been difficult to be close for months on end, considering the business had previously only ever been closed for eight days during eight years.

“It’s been the strangest situation ever,” he said.

All ten members of staff were eager to get back to work, he said. “We can’t wait. We all just want to get back to normal.”

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