Northwich salon owner praises team after lockdown re-opening

Loretta Hopley, who runs the Francesco Group salon in Kingsmead, was diagnosed with breast cancer during the most recent lockdown and was unable to be there herself having undergone surgery last week.

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"I'd love to be in there with them, but it is what it is, I've got to get myself right first," she said.

"The surgery went well so I'm just sitting at home recovering.

"I've been told that that they managed to catch it early so finger's crossed.

"But the team at the salon have been absolutely amazing.

"Some of them have been with me since I took the business over and they just work together so well."

A balloon arch welcomed back customers on Monday.

The 54-year-old took on the franchise back in 2008 and celebrated the ten year anniversary a couple of years ago by taking them all to Magaluf for a weekend away.

With the hair and beauty industry so badly impacted by the three national lockdowns, Loretta has managed to keep them on and was delighted to be able to bring them all back from the furlough scheme.

"It's been amazing for us to keep all the team on," she said.

"And this time, while they've been on furlough, they've all been volunteering at the vaccination centre in Warrington, along with my husband Alan.

"Alan is actually staying on the vaccination centre because the girls have obviously all come back to working at the salon.

"It's really helped them all doing it.

"Especially in our job, which means you are always talking and meeting with people.

"To be at home all the time is obviously very isolating.

"For them to be able to go and feel like they are doing their part in the fight against covid has really given them all a purpose."

Customers are just as delighted as the salon staff to be open for business again.

Loretta went on to say how the easing of lockdown restrictions on Monday had a different feel this time around, with everyone now fully versed in the use of PPE and other covid-secure precautions such as mask wearing.

"We've had a lot of new clients just off the back of them seeing what safety measures we've put in place," she explained.

"Some of our clients have been shielding during lockdown, so just before Christmas we did days especially for them when there was more space in the salon.

"There were times when they would have had half the salon to themselves and that's important as it makes them feel much safer.

"The way my whole team have embraced this new way of working with regards PPE has just been amazing and I'm so proud of them.

"It's always a case of safety first and they really look after one another.

"It's not a case of just re-opening the business, we've got to do it in a healthy, wellbeing way.

"Last time we opened out of lockdown, it all felt very new and we had to have signs about mask wearing and social distancing, but everyone knows that now.

"This time feels different, and although we've got to be careful, the summer is approaching and we've got the positive vaccination situation.

"It just feels that there is more of a welcome this time."

The team have been well versed in using PPE and other covid-secure measures.

The franchise was started by two Italian brothers, and although it has now grown to more than 40 salons around the country, Loretta says her's is very much a local and family run affair.

"I took it on back in 2008 having originally worked for the lady who originally opened it in 2002," she said.

"Because it's myself, my husband and daughter who have got the salon now, it is very much a local, family business because we are from the area as well.

"All our clients are all very local too."