A BARRHEAD businesswoman has welcomed a decision to allow beauty salons to reopen from next week.

Avril Leca, who has owned The Beauty Centre for 25 years, previously told the Barrhead News that she feared being “marooned” as the only trader in the town’s Main Street who was unable to go back to work.

Many in the beauty industry were left fuming when the Scottish Government announced barbers and hairdressers could open from today, while beauty salons and nail bars had to remain closed.

However, as part of a move to phase three of its route map out of lockdown, the Scottish Government has now announced these businesses can welcome customers again from Wednesday, July 22.

READ MORE: Barrhead beauty salon boss slams Holyrood over industry’s ‘unfair’ treatment

Avril said the moment when she is able to reopen her salon can’t come soon enough.

“I’m in the process of printing off the guidelines and getting prepared for reopening,” she added.

“It will take us a wee bit of time to work our way through things and make sure we’re complying with everything.

“We have an online booking system and anyone who had an appointment before lockdown began can get in touch to rebook.

“It also means we have their contact details to get in touch, in line with the ‘track and trace’ system.

“I have installed a door entry system, so there will only be one client in at a time.

“I would ask people to have a wee bit of patience, as they will have to stand outside whilst we’re cleaning things in between clients.”

The Scottish Government has defended its decision to keep beauty salons and nail bars closed longer than other businesses, stressing that this was made “with the best intentions in mind and for the best health reasons.”