Back to business: Fylde coast beauty salons, tanning shops and tattoo shops have reopened

Although, not as difficult as the lockdown period was for the tattoo artists, tanning staff and beauty therapists who found themselves out of work when non-essential businesses were closed on March 23 by the Government.

But today (Monday July 13) after 17 weeks of closure, the Fylde coast's non-essential businesses were able to open their doors again.

Emma Mitchell, a staff member at House of Tanning on Victoria Road West, Cleveleys, was relieved to be able to return to work.

She said: "It's been great to finally get back to work and see lots of friendly faces, I've really missed it.

"We've deep-cleaned the shop, we have screens up everywhere, PPE for staff and customers, and we're using the track and trace system as well.

"It's completely safe here, there's plenty of sanitiser and everyone must wear a mask."

Customers are also given disposable bags when they use a sunbed, so they can wipe down and disinfect the bed after use and dispose of wipes safely.

Tattoo artists were also given the green light to head back to work, and Matt Creed, manager of Revival Tattoo Studio on Whitegate Drive, Marton, felt the reopening date was sensible.

Matt began implementing safety measures at his tattoo shop before the lockdown was announced.

He said: "It feels amazing to be open again, we've just been sitting at home for the last three months so I couldn't wait.

"We were getting ourselves prepared for reopening before we even closed, that's how seriously we're taking the safety of our staff and customers.

"Everyone has to book and turn up at the times we give them, and we have screens and hand sanitisers everywhere. I even open and close the door for people to limit their contact with surfaces.

"Everything is disinfected hourly, and our tattooists have to wear gloves, googles or visors, masks, aprons and sleeve covers.

"Tattoos are an invasive procedure, we're breaking skin, so we had to make sure we had every safety measure possible in place.

"I think today was the right time for the Government to allow tattoo shops to reopen. We couldn't have reopened earlier while the virus cases were still rising, it would have been too much of a risk."