Tattoo parlours and beauty salons reopen in Brighton

These businesses, along with spas and tanning salons, have been among the last to welcome customers back after months of closure under the coronavirus lockdown.

When The Argus spoke with them last month, many were worried about their future. As hairdressers, pubs and restaurants started opening around them, they felt as though they had been forgotten.

Now, they are overjoyed – and hurriedly trying to claw back the trade they have lost.

For the first time in almost four months, Gun And Pedal tattoo studio in Ditchling Road, Brighton, was filled with the sound of needles buzzing again.

Owner Andrew Davis, 37, said. “I’m over the moon. I love it. I absolutely love it.

“I thought we’d been left out. We’d been closed for so long and the place was just collecting dust before we did a Covid-19 deep clean at the weekend.

“I think the Government saw tattooing as a bit of a cult thing, but it’s not any more – I don’t think they realised just how big it is.”

Now, tattoo artists must stick to strict guidelines. Direct skin-to-skin contact will be avoided where possible and facial tattoos are out because there is a higher risk of transmitting the virus when the artist is face to face with the customer.

The Government says this is why it allowed hairdressers – who can stand behind their customers, or to the side, to open ahead of other similar businesses.

The new measures could spell the end of a spontaneous treatment, as businesses have been asked to consider using appointment-only booking systems to minimise the number of people on site at one time.

Andrew said: “We used to take lots of walk-ins, but now we’re doing bookings over Facebook and Instagram.”

At Gun And Pedal, customers need to wear masks and gloves and the artists also wear a visor.

Andrew said: “We’re getting used to it – it does get hot with a visor and mask but we’re being strict and keeping to the guidelines. We’re looking out for the public.”

Beauty salons too have had to make changes. Some face-to-face treatments are still considered too dangerous to carry out. Face waxing, sugaring, eyebrow and eyelash treatments, facials and make-up application are not allowed. But treatments that avoid work directly in front of the face including nail treatments, massages and leg and bikini waxing are back on the menu.

At Velvet Nails in George Street, Brighton, owner Lilly Pimley, 37, said she was happy to be back.

“I’m so excited to be at work and talking to people again,” she said. “I’ve felt like a housewife staying home without my job – now, it’s like I’ve got my life back.”

The salon has a limit of four customers in the shop, and staff wear masks, gloves and face shields. “It’s definitely worth it,” Lilly said. “We don’t want anyone to get the virus – this is good for everyone.”