To our loyal and valued friends and clients,
Following on from the Government’s announcement on the 10th of May, and the UK Government’s recovery strategy published on the 11th of May 2020, we understand lots of you will have questions, as we all do; the main one being “Do you know when you are able to open yet?”
Unfortunately, no, we do not.
The Government has made it explicitly clear that we are not permitted to open for service. We understand that we are more than ‘just hairdressers’ to our clients, and as frustrating as it may be, unfortunately that is what the Government classes us as. We are retail/hairdressers/personal care. In the document published on the 11th of May it states as follows:
“Opening non-essential retail when and where it is safe to do so, and subject to those retailers being able to follow the new COVID-19 Secure guidelines. The intention is for this to happen in phases from 1 June; the Government will issue further guidance shortly on the approach that will be taken to phasing, including which businesses will be covered in each phase and the timeframes involved. All other sectors that are currently closed, including hospitality and personal care, are not able to re-open at this point because the risk of transmission in these environments is higher. The opening of such sectors is likely to take place in phases during step three, as set out below.”
“The next step will also take place when the assessment of risk warrants further adjustments to the remaining measures. The Government’s current planning assumption is that this step will be no earlier than 4 July, subject to the five tests justifying some or all of the measures below, and further detailed scientific advice, provided closer to the time, on how far we can go. The ambition at this step is to open at least some of the remaining businesses and premises that have been required to close, including personal care (such as hairdressers and beauty salons) hospitality (such as food service providers, pubs and accommodation), public places (such as places of worship) and leisure facilities (like cinemas). They should also meet the COVID-19 Secure guidelines. Some venues which are, by design, crowded and where it may prove difficult to enact distancing may still not be able to re-open safely at this point, or may be able to open safely only in part. Nevertheless the Government will wish to open as many businesses and public places as the data and information at the time allows.”
In short, this means that we are not permitted to open for service until, at the very earliest, the 4th of July 2020, and this date is also subject to change dependant on Government advice.
As it stands, the Government have given businesses across the country very little to no notice as to when restrictions are being lifted. All of us here at Optima are frustrated at the lack of clear information and the very short notice we’re being given to keep finding new ways around potential changes in the Government’s guidance, but rest assured we are making EVERY provision possible so that when we are allowed to reopen, we can serve you as safely and as quickly as possible.
With this in mind and understanding that reopening could be around the 4th of July, we have developed a few new ways in which can help you get through this transition period. We encourage all existing clients to get in touch with us at reception@optimahair.co.uk to request more information, but please bear with us – as we are sure you’re aware, we have over 1500 clients to serve and we are doing our very best to help each and every one of you on an individual basis.
We are frustrated that we can’t come back to do the job we’ve all loved for so long and see all our clients and friends again. If we could open back up tomorrow we would, but we can’t. We MUST stick by the guidelines set out by the Government, or we risk increasing the length of these restrictions further and once more in the future.
All of us here are sick and tired of staying at home, not being able to see our families and loved ones. For those of you who have been working through lockdown, or are facing returning to work in the near future, please, please get in touch so that we can assist you in keeping your hair looking its best until we can see you again.
We will, as always, keep updating the blog as and when we have new information. For now, stay alert, protect the NHS, and save lives.
Thank you, and we miss you.
Pete, and all of us at Optima
You can read the Government’s recovery strategy in full here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/884171/FINAL_6.6637_CO_HMG_C19_Recovery_FINAL_110520_v2_WEB__1_.pdf
