WHILST pubs and hairdressers across England have been given the go ahead to reopen, many business owners were disappointed with the news their doors must remain closed for now.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s decision to reopen pubs, hairdressers, hotels and cinemas on July 4 was met with overwhelming support from the general public.

However, for the people behind gyms, tattoo parlours and beauty salons, the decision will mean keeping doors shut to customers that much longer.

Skin clinician Melody Forrest owns Harmony Rejuvenation, a beauty clinic specialising in skincare in Millom.

The business-owner was poised to open her new store in Potter’s Court, Ulverston on what she hoped would be July 4.

However, the 43-year-old said she is ‘frustrated’ by what she sees as a double standard from government, with hairdressers and pubs allowed to reopen but beauty salons staying closed.

“I don’t understand how pubs are now allowed to reopen when people will be drinking and getting drunk in very close proximity to each other, whereas beauty salons and clinics which have PPE to the max are not allowed to,” she said.

“It doesn’t seem fair.

“It’s very uncertain times for me especially as I was just about to open a new shop.

“It’s having a knock-on effect on my customers and everyone.

“I’ve got all the safety precautions and protective equipment in place ready to go to make sure it's safe for customers.

“People are ready to get back to normality now.

“But we have to follow what the government say and will open when we get the green light.”

Chris Walsh, owner of Walshy’s Gym in Dalton, questioned why pubs and drinking places are allowed to open before gyms which benefit people’s health and wellbeing.

He said: “It’s funny how pubs are allowed to reopen but gyms aren’t.

“The government obviously isn’t taking much interest in people’s health and wellbeing.

“It would actually be harder to control infection rates in pubs than gyms.

“They keep talking about people keeping fit and healthy and combatting COVID-19, but they’re not actually putting it into action.

“I’m desperate to reopen and hope it will be by mid-July at least.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Parliament on Tuesday that the government’s public health experts will work with sectors which remain closed, to help them become ‘Covid secure’ and open ‘as soon as possible’.