Northampton spa directors asks why her industry should wait while salons are given greenlight to open again

The director of a Northampton spa that was set to open on July 4 says there is "no reason" she cannot open on July 4 whilst salons and barbers have been given the go-ahead by the Government.

Fong Day Spa, in Weston Favell Shopping Centre, was optimistic last week they had all the means in place to open in July, and were just waiting for the green light from the Prime Minister.

But in a briefing on Tuesday, the Government announced spas and manicure businesses would have to wait longer to come out of lockdown - while salons were given the O.K.

Now, managing director Yin Jeune has hit out at the Government's "inconsistent" announcement.

She told the Chronicle & Echo: "There is no reason we cannot provide a clean and safe service.

"Salons are open and have cleaning in place and they use stations. My spa has five separate treatment rooms that can be completely disinfected in under 20 minutes after every client. There's no reason any two clients should see each other between treatments. My staff will wear the same level of PPE as a nurse in a hospital. So why have we been told to wait?

"I would like to get Boris Johnson down here himself and show him how ready we are!"

Business owners across the leisure industry - including, spas, swimming pools and gyms - have hit out at the announcement this week that they would have to stay in lockdown for longer.

Meanwhile, salons and barbers across the country are now preparing to open again on July 4 with social distancing and PPE in place.

Yin said: "We have been working so hard to get the risk assessments in place and have the girls take online training to get ready for reopening.

"I'm trying to hang in there as much as I can because this is my livelihood. I was in shock after they said we would not be able to open."