HAIRDRESSERS, gyms and non-essential retail business would have cried ‘tiers’ of joy after being told they would be able to open under any of the three tiers.

Some of the worst rates of Covid-19 in England have been in Blackburn with Darwen, sparking fears that Boris’s new tough lockdown could see some businesses remain closed after the month long national lockdown.

Barber and owner of shop Rogue Barbers in Feniscowles, James Harding was set to open the weekend after the country was put into the first national lockdown in March, leaving the site empty for three months until he was able to open on July 4.

James, 27 then had to close a second time earlier this month, so is elated by the news that he will be welcoming customers back next week, no matter what.

He said: “It’s an absolutely massive relief. It’s been a long month but we are excited to get back now.

“It would be more damaging if we had to close and other areas could stay open. That was the really worrying thing.”

Lockdown hasn’t been all bad news however, as it has given James the perfect opportunity to increase the size of the shop, adding an extra two chairs with a view to brining in more team members once social distancing is relaxed.

Owner of Slice Hairdressers in Darwen, Zodie Atkinson has been a hairdresser for 30 years and owned the Darwen business for 17 years.

Zoe, 50, said: “We just can’t wait. Regardless of the loss of earnings, hairdressers tend to be passionate about what they do and have close bonds with their clients, at a time like this you want to be able to see people in the safe spaces we have made of our salons.

“We are quite used to all the PPE now and welcome the safety it offers. Our salon is all trimmed up and awaiting our lovely clients in what will be a mentally busy three weeks. Bring it on.”

Gyms and non-essential retail have also been given the green-light to open in all three tiers of lockdown.

Owner of Next Level gym, Jamie Bradley is hopeful that he will not have to close his doors because of Covid-19 lockdowns again.

He said: "It's really good news and as expected we should not have to close in the near future.

"It's just really good for us and our customers to get back and feel fit and good again.

"It has a big effect on how you feel and the mental health benefits are not equal to the physical but more so."

Another gym which had to close the doors earlier this month was Better Bodies on Bennington Street.

Owner Aisha Digankar said: "It was an absolute sigh of relief however we have still got all the shadow and doubt of after Christmas, will we be told to close again.

"If you are trying to make a living on top of being closed, it doesn't always work out to only open for a few weeks however we are very optimistic about opening again."

Aisha has owned and ran the gym for nearly seven years alongside her father Hasham Digankar.

It is yet to be determined which tier of lockdown Lancashire will be placed into however it is believed that the county will see the highest level of restrictions imposed which would see all indoor entertainment and hospitality closed while the rule of six will apply outdoors in public spaces.