WORCESTER residents flocked in their hundreds to barber shops and salons yesterday.

Whilst pubs and restaurants were quiet in comparison. Queues formed at barber shops from 7:30 Saturday morning and continued throughout the day.

Good Life Barber Shop was fully booked all day. Owner, Kieran Groves, said: "It is really exciting to be open again. We are only taking bookings and have sanitiser stations and lots of other safety measures in place but we are trying to create as normal experience as we possibly can.

"We've had to do a few rescue jobs from people doing it themselves at home. It's so great to be back. But we are still being cautious."

Customers could be seen queuing to get a haircut at Kents in the Corn Market and also at Taylor Bennetts on Friar Street.

All of the hairdressers we spoke to said they were reopening today, on what some have been calling “Independence Day” but they all said they had safety very much in mind.

Richard Apparicio-Davies, of Apparicio Hairdressing, said: “I know hairdressers in Italy who were ahead of us. I was inspired by them so (in lockdown) I did this work to make me, the staff and customers feel more secure.

“We have got hand sanitisers, glass shields separating each section and the basins as well. We will be using disposable gowns, towels, plus the face shields and we have the temperature check equipment. We want customers to still have as pleasant an experience as possible. We aren’t putting prices up. I was prepared to make less profit for safety, and increase the work we do instead.”

Pubs across the city opened around midday. David Willis enjoyed his first pint after lock down began at the Royal Exchange.

Mr Willis, 48, said: "Its nice to see the place open again. I was here at 11 when they opened. I'm a regular here. The atmosphere is a bit strange but the landlord is doing his best in what is a really trying and challenging time."

Down at Wetherspoons in Crown Passage it was relatively quiet.

Management said: "We are expecting it to pick up from lunchtime. But it was a surprise that nobody was here at 8am this morning, we were expecting queues and people camping out and all sorts. I guess people are still being cautious."

The restaurant and hotel in the city has installed a plethora of safety measures including, hand sanitising stations a one way system, cleaning staff, door staff, disposable menus, signage and socially distanced tables.

Entrance doors were also pinned open to increase air flow and reduce hand contact points.

Customers are encouraged to order using the Wetherspoon app, where possible, directly from their table.

Where customers are unable to order from their table, such as they don’t have a smartphone, they will instead be allowed to order from one of the designated till points at the bar.

However, customers may not remain at the bar and will be asked to return to their table once they have ordered and paid.

Contact details must also be provided as part of the NHS Test and Trace initiative to ensure people can be contacted in the event someone is diagnosed with coronavirus.

Details will be stored confidentially by the pub team and forms will be securely destroyed after 21 days. to allow