A SALON owner has told of her relief that her business will be able to reopen - even though the county will be in tier two of the government’s coronavirus restrictions.

The decision means the county will face tougher rules than before the second national lockdown, but beauty salons and gyms will be allowed to reopen.

Judith Hall, the owner of Infinity Beauty salon in Friar Street, said: “I’m really really pleased that we can open.

“Times are tough at the moment, so it’s great we can reopen at our busiest time of the year - the diary is nearly full as we’ve already been taking bookings throughout lockdown for December.

“The first lockdown was very difficult, but having said that I know some people weren’t pleased, saying the government support wasn’t enough, but I have actually found it has really helped and without that support we wouldn’t be here.

“After the last lockdown we were so busy with an influx of new clients and we’re hoping for something similar when we can reopen next week.”

Perdiswell Leisure Centre will reopen its doors at one minute past midnight on December 2.

Karen Burrell, sales and marketing director of Freedom Leisure, said: “There has been so much lobbying by ukactive of government to try to push through that message of how important physical activity is, and it seems to have been listened to because in all three tiers gyms can reopen.

“The team can’t wait - they were gutted when we had to close before.

“We’re reopening at midnight next week as a one off to highlight that we’re really excited to be back open.

“We’re a community centre and we have been working really hard to get the message out that we’re a Covid-safe environment.”