HAIRDRESSERS are preparing to get back into their salons, or people's homes, sometime from April 12 — but there's a huge backlog of customers desperate for appointments.

Boris Johnson's roadmap out of lockdown puts April 12 as the earliest hairdressers can reopen, but the lack of a definite date is causing headaches for those taking bookings.

Kelly O'Hanlon, who runs O'Hanlon and Ray in Orchard Street, Newport, said she has had 120 messages since the Prime Minister's announcement.

But she still can't take bookings, not knowing the exact date she will be able to open.

There's a backlog of customers who were booked in before the sudden shutdown, and dozens upon dozens of people getting more desperate by the day as their locks become unmanageable.

She said: "People have been messaging day and night, and I've got a waiting list going.

"We will be working 12 to 14 hour days for two weeks just to clear the backlog.

"Having your hair cut lifts your wellbeing, and not having it done can be really upsetting for people.

"Some of my clients are saying they can't go out until they have their hair cut, and it's making them feel awful."

She said her staff are on furlough, but the self-employed, such as herself, haven't had much help.

She said some salons are in an even worse situation.

"I'm living off savings, but those who haven't got savings, who are living more hand-to-mouth or who have loans against their businesses, are going to come unstuck. It is really tough for them."