Horsham town centre business owner’s frustration at short notice lockdown change

Sarah Birch, owner of the Beauty Rooms in North Street, said she agreed with the decision but called on the Government to give more notice to business preparing to reopen services.

She added: “Overnight the infection rate didn’t become a problem.

“If it has to happen it has to happen for everyone’s safety.

“We could have been given more notice and all businesses that have been affected could have planned for the next few weeks better.

“My frustration is in the lack of notice that was given to us.”

On Friday July 31 Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the easing of lockdown restrictions planned to go ahead on Saturday August 1 would be pushed back to at least August 15.

This included the reopening of indoor venues such as casinos and bowling alleys, pilot sporting events including Goodwood, and facial beauty treatments.

Sarah, 52, said her business has been able to offer some beauty treatments but had been planning to reintroduce facial services from Saturday.

When the delay to easing restrictions was announced she had to cancel appointments for those treatments, leaving her very little time to rebook.

Sarah added: “People’s health is of the utmost importance – that’s no question.

“It was the timing [of the announcement]. We could have been given more notice.”

She said her salon has always operated under strict hygiene guidelines and said clients are sent a pre-appointment questionnaire to check they do not have symptoms.

Sarah added: “People have been very responsible.”