"This is the highlight of my week": Northampton barbers welcomes clients desperate for a hair cut after months in lockdown

Hair and beauty industry one of many to reopen doors today as lockdown eases
Oli's Barber Shop opens for businessOli's Barber Shop opens for business
Oli's Barber Shop opens for business

Oli's Barber Shop in the Grosvenor Centre was one of many to open its doors for the first time since the start year when the third UK national lockdown kicked in.

One couple - Neil Percival and Carole Linnett - were queuing outside Oli's earlier this morning ahead of Neil getting rid of his locks.

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He said: "I can wait to get rid of it. This will be the highlight of my week."

Andrew's Salon on St Giles StreetAndrew's Salon on St Giles Street
Andrew's Salon on St Giles Street

Carole said: "I've quite liked his long hair but he says he wants to get rid of it.

"I also want to go to the EE shop as I'm desperate to get my mobile sorted out."

Neil added: "I might even get to go to Waterstones and use the book tokens I got at Christmas, then hopefully have a coffee outside. It's so nice to be back."

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Outside Andrew's Salon on St Giles Street, one customer near the front of the queue had been waiting for two hours because the gentlemen's barbers had been so busy.

One loyal customer, Bernard Ingram, said: "I've never had my hair this long in my whole life. I'm more than pleased to wait.

"I've been coming here for years and I'm very happy to be back. It will be a relief."

Another person in the queue, David Atkinson, said it was the first time he had been to town in months and it was disappointing to see some of his favourite shops shut.

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He said: "I haven't had my hair cut since December. I haven't enjoyed it at all. "I've been waiting here since half past nine. It's good to be back. I've always come here."

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