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For most, 4th July can’t come soon enough. It’s now been over 100 days since the majority of us have been able to get a professional hair cut. Yes, we may have all dabbled in self grooming and become hair stylists for our lockdown buddies; but there’s nothing really like sitting in that salon chair! Over the last few years, the JQ has become a melting pot of award-winning hair salons. Here we check in with a few of them to learn what measures they have in place for your safe return!

Barber Therapy – Unit 2, 58 Spencer St, B18 6DS

For new kid on the block, Barber Therapy, it’s all about that one-on-one experience. If you arrive early for an appointment, you’ll need to wait outside or in your car, so it’s important you arrive exactly on time to limit any client crossover. It will only ever be just yourself in the salon at any one time, creating one of the safest environments possible.

Even though a hair wash is included in a lot of their appointments, customers are asked to wash their hair prior to arriving at the shop.

When you enter the salon, you’ll be greeted with a smile and a squirt of hand sanitiser. In terms of PPE, you’ll need to wear a face mask – the staff will be wearing the same and they’ll also be donning a pair of gloves. Other new fashion accessories include a new high quality gown that will be used for every customer which is then laundered on the evening to disinfect for use the next day. 

All forms of contactless payments will be accepted and even though Barber Therapy will be allowing cash payments, no change will be given to keep down the risk of cross contamination. 

If any product is applied to the hair during styling, single use spatulas will be used so that there isn’t any cross contamination. With frequent hand washing throughout, as well as constant fresh air circulating throughout the salon, the JQ’s newest studio will arguably be one of the safest places to visit after the lockdown has ended.

You can book directly through barbertherapyuk.booksy.com or you can also book via their Instagram page at https://instagram.com/barbertherapyuk.

BLACC + BLOND – 17 Lionel St, B3 1AQ

BLACC + BLOND has gone above and beyond in ensuring the health, safety and comfort of their clients. The team has put in extremely high standards to ensure customer safety, including 30 minute sanitation breaks after every haircut and a new booking system where payments can be made through an app.

It’s important that all customers arrive on time and alone (unless with a child) and if possible, customers are asked to refrain from bringing a coat. On arrival (and exit) you’ll need to sanitise your hands. Understandably, no magazines or refreshments will be offered and the salon’s toilet must only be used in an emergency.

The team will be wearing appropriate PPE where necessary and will have a 30 minute salon sanitisation break between every haircut. You’ll also see no tape or barriers inside – that’s because BLACC + BLOND’s beautiful open salon provides unrivalled space for maximum assurance that you will not have a 2 metre distance from any other person.

All haircuts remain 1 hour as standard and unfortunately, the team will not be offering beard services for the time being. Prices have also increased to reflect BLACC + BLOND’s true value of the most premium time offering, product and setting in Birmingham.

BLACC + BLOND is now using a brand new booking system, FRESHA for a more streamlined experience. Having the ability to pay securely through the app, means you can leave your wallet at home. You can either book through FRESHA or via Instagram or their website.

Their new cutting hours will now operate from, 10-18.30 Monday- Friday and 10-17.00Saturday. Please only book in at time slots of 10:00, 11:30, 13:00. 14:30, 16:00, 17:30.

Harris Gibbs – 82 Caroline St, B3 1UP

Harris Gibbs Hair Shop has been part of the JQ since 2009, and pride themselves on their salon experience. The team are committed to providing the highest standard of hairdressing services in both colouring and styling for all of their clients. Harris Gibbs is one of the quirkiest hair salons in the JQ, sitting just off St. Paul’s Square.

The team at Harris Gibbs have undergone multiple changes to their working procedures to adhere to government guidelines with their main focus being the safety of their clients and team. Opening hours and team shift patterns have been adjusted to control the amount of clients in the salon at any one time to ensure social distancing measures can be adhered to.

A thorough cleaning and sterilising routine of all of their salon space and equipment has been implemented and they’ve also replaced Gowns and Towels with single use disposable alternatives. And even though the team has rightly removed magazines, they’ve replaced them with free to use digital versions, to ensure your experience isn’t altered.

Understandably, they won’t be able to offer you their usual refreshment menu but they’ll still be keeping you hydrated with individual bottles of water. With the current government guidelines, there’s no obligation for clients to wear a mask, but if it makes you feel more secure and comfortable, masks can be provided upon request. All of the Harris Gibbs team will be wearing PPE including ultra fancy face visors.

Harris Gibbs are currently operating a call back service to ensure appointments are booked efficiently and safely. A new digital rewards system will be in operation from 4th July to give back to their wonderful loyal customers and thank them for the support and patience.

All of the Harris Gibbs Hair Shop team are delighted to be back in the salon doing what we love, we have been proud to be a part of the JQ community for over 10 years and assure all clients that our ‘new normal’ will be even better than before. We’ll still be offering all of our services and an even more attentive personal service to clients once we reopen, and have decided not to increase our costs despite the the Covid-19 changes. We cannot express our thanks enough for the support and care we have received from all of our clients during this time.

Hazel & Haydn – 25 Caroline St, B3 1UE

At award-winning hair salon, Hazel and Haydn, they are taking every precaution to keep you safe. When you arrive into the salon, you’ll notice hand sanitiser stations throughout the salon that you will be asked to use upon entering. On arrival, Dale and the team will also give your clothes a spray with an electrolysed water that will kill 99.9995% of bacteria (it’s that safe, you can drink it). Protective screens are built between all of their sections within the salon, shielding you from anyone you sit in front of – and the team will be continuing to use disposable towels and cups. Not only that, Hazel & Haydn are now open 7 days a week over longer hours, splitting the team into half. This therefore means that when you visit them, they’ll be less people in the salon at any one point.

PDB Hair – 70 Vyse St, B18 6EX

PDB Hair is Birmingham’s only Biodynamic, Organic, Vegan and Cruelty free hair salon, situated in the Jewellery Quarter on Vyse Street. Their aim is to be as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible by being plastic free, using only ethical brands, and being extra mindful in everything that they do.

The team already use gloves and reusable aprons, therefore clients will see no change, but as an extra safety measure, all staff will also wear reusable face masks and visors. Clients will be asked to bring their own face masks, but those who are unable to, there will be a limited stock of disposable ones for purchase. Hand sanitisers will be provided throughout the salon and must be used by every client upon arrival.

Unfortunately, due to the restrictions, no refreshments or reading material will be provided, but clients are more than welcome to bring their own. It’s important that anything extra that is brought into the salon must also leave too. For clients that already had appointments, these are currently being booked in first. PDB will then announce when booking will be opened to the rest of its clientele, shortly before welcoming new customers to the salon.

Pickles & Co – 44 Kenyon St, B18 6DH

Upon arrival at Pickles & Co, customers will notice the clear social distancing measures in place, with all stations being 3 meters apart. Also noticeable will be the hand sanitising stations that are available throughout the salon.

All staff will be wearing PPE, although this is not a requirement of clients. Disposable towels have also been introduced, which are not just safer, but more environmentally friendly. And after each use, every gown will be washed. Pickles & Co have also increased the appointment times to ensure that no sessions will roll over and that there is more than enough time to clean and sanitise all equipment and stations.

As with the majority of JQ salons, there is no waiting area so it’s important clients arrive on time. There will also be no refreshments offered. Music will be played, but on low volume to reduce people raising their voices. You can book with Pickles & Co on their website from 28th July onwards.

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