Budget hairdressing chain Just Cuts is back in business, with some salons reopening their doors on 1 May after a month out of action.

Just Cuts’ chief Denis McFadden expects the entire chain (except those in government lockdown areas) to be fully operational from 11 May.

One month ago McFadden felt compelled to close salon doors in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

Now Australia appears to be flattening the curve, and McFadden is confident increased measures in salons will keep clients and staff safe and well.

Just Cuts has about 100,000 weekly salon clients.

“We feel we can safely action a soft launch operating under the strict processes recommended by government and the World Health Organisation,” he said.

So what is Just Cuts doing to ensure a safe environment for staff and clients?

Additional hygiene steps have been introduced including distancing, additional cleaning, sanitising each styling station and tools before and after each client, and constant use of hand sanitiser.

In addition:

• no coffee or tea
• no magazines
• contactless payment
• floor stickers so that people can easily observe social distancing
• restricted number of people in each salon with the recommended distance between each styling station
• PPE masks
• each franchisee has the option to restrict services which involve face to face contact eg beard trims

McFadden led the month-long closure with company-owned salons shutting down in late March. Each franchisee made their own decision about whether or not to remain open during the height of the pandemic.

McFadden said both clients and staff were in agreement about the risks.

“It’s obviously not been an easy decision and is an ongoing balance between keeping cash flow turning over while keeping everyone safe,” he said.

“We wanted to do our bit to stop the spread of coronavirus. It wasn’t ideal commercially but we felt it was important to contribute as a group,” he said.