Scissors, trimmers, combs and brushes, along with face shields, masks, hand and surface sanitisers, are at the ready as Ripon's hairdressers prepare to cope with the pent up demand tomorrow..

For Sharon Bielby, who owns and runs a men's barbers shop bearing her name and Deborah Chalmers, owner of Love Hair and Beauty Boutique, it's going to be a busy weekend.

The new post-lockdown reality means no magazines to read, a strict one in, one out system and chat kept to the absolute minimum.

Both women,say it's going to be strange re-acquainting themselves with customers who have become more like friends than clients, but they appreciate that the hygiene and social distancing measures are there to protect everybody.

Deborah, who has been involved in the beauty business since leaving Ripon Grammar School aged 15, told The Stray Ferret:

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In spite of being closed since 23rd March, her premises, have provided a shop window for bird houses and bee homes made by adults with learning disabilities at the Jennyruth Workshops charity.

Sharon, pointed out:

For Deborah, the coronavirus crisis meant she has temporarily lost out on revenue that would have come from her core business of providing hairstyling and make up for brides and bridesmaids.

Since March, she has had 40 wedding postponements and though this was a devastating blow, she felt the need to give something back during the lockdown to her home city.

She turned her hand to supporting friends Annette and Nathan Kite, by volunteering to cook hot meals for 14 weeks, which were delivered to people in need around Ripon.

Deborah, added: "This gave me a purpose that helped me to get through these difficult months."