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It’s been a busy day for hairdressers and barbershops across Caerphilly County Borough – which have been allowed to reopen for the first time since before Christmas.

On Friday (March 12), the Welsh Government confirmed hairdressers and barbershops would be able to reopen for appointments from Monday (March 15).

But while many are delighted to be able to reopen, they have also admitted they would have liked more time to prepare for their reopening.

Ceri Byrd, who runs Razors Barbershop in Bedwas, said it was “absolutely amazing” to be back open.

Ms Byrd said: “It’s been absolutely crazy here – we’ve not had many people in the shop, but we’ve had lots of calls – We’re going to be busy for the next two weeks at least.”

But Ms Byrd admitted she would have liked to have known about the reopening of the sector sooner: “I’ve had just three days to contact a lot of people,” she said.

Caerphilly Observer also spoke with Gillian Smith, who runs The Modern Barber on Blackwood High Street, at around 3.45pm. Ms Smith said it was the first break she had had all day, having started at 9am.

She said she was happy to have reopened and said she had been “tearing my hair out” while closed, but like Ms Byrd, said she would have liked more time to have planned the reopening.

Ms Smith said: “I haven’t had the time to call customers to rearrange appointments. We’ve had three months off but until you’ve had a reopening date, you can’t rearrange the appointments.”

These were sentiments shared by Ellie-May Davies, of Hair Craze by Naomi on Piccadilly Square, Caerphilly town.

Ms Davies said the salon had to order stock before being able to reopen, but said they were “relieved and really happy” to finally be open once again.

She added: “We’re going to busy all month – we’re fully booked up. Everyone who has walked through the door today has said they’ve been looking forward to this.”

As part of measures to ease Wales’ lockdown, non-essential shops and garden centres will begin to reopen in Wales from next Monday (March 22), with restrictions on non-essential items being sold set to be lifted.

All shops, including all close contact services, will be able to open from April 12 – the same date as in England.

Meanwhile, schools have reopened to all primary school pupils and pupils in qualifications years.

In addition, outdoor sports facilities, including basketball courts, tennis courts and golf courses, can now reopen, and indoor care home visits have restarted, for single designated visitors.

Speaking at the Welsh Government’s coronavirus press briefing on March 12, First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “We are taking a phased approach to unlocking each sector – starting with schools. We will make step-by-step changes each week to gradually restore freedoms.

“We will monitor each change we make, so we know what impact each change has had on Wales’ public health situation.”