During the first and second confinements, the Chartres hairdressing salons, considered non-essential businesses, had been forced to close their doors, forcing their customers to cut their hair on their own. Or not.
When they reopened, on May 11 and then on November 28, 2020, these same customers had returned in large numbers. The reservation books were full and the hairdressers were delighted. Since the entry into force of the third confinement, on April 3, hair salons are considered essential businesses and can therefore continue to welcome their customers.
Why the confinements have been less and less strict for a year
In Chartres, and in Eure-et-Loir, for part of the corporation, this announcement, synonymous with relief, quickly turned into disillusion, as explained by Isabelle Brochard, owner of a hairdressing salon, in Chartres, and President of the National Union of Hairdressing Companies of Eure-et-Loir (Unec 28).
“We are very happy to be able to stay open this time around. The problem is that a year ago the customers cried to see us closed and today it is the hairdressers who cry because the customers are absent. Overall their number is halved. From ten, we went to five dates a day. “
Isabelle Brochard (Hairdresser and president of Unec 28)
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A phenomenon that hairdressers explain by the emergence of new habits among their customers.
“We notice that the usual customers, who used to come several times a month, are spacing out their visits and only come once. We believe that in the minds of people it is important to stay in what is really essential. Like the first two times we were closed some might not know we are open this time around. I want to say to customers: “you know, you have the right to come”. “
Isabelle Brochard (Hairdresser and president of Unec 28)
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According to the new directives in connection with the health crisis, customers who live within 10 km of a hairdressing salon have the possibility of going there without a certificate. Those who live less than 30 km away must bring a certificate and tick the “purchases” box. Isabelle Brochard continues: “Some salons have already put their employees on short-time work, others are threatened with closing permanently. It’s urgent. “
The bookstores, they fill up
As for booksellers, also closed during the first two confinements but today considered to be essential businesses, the number of customers would tend to increase, since the entry into force of the third confinement, as explained by Olivier L’Hostis. , manager of the L’Esperluète bookstore, in Chartres:
“We are happy to remain open, for us and our customers. Our activity, over the last two weeks, and more sustained than usual. It was thought that the inhabitants of Chartres and the agglomeration would desert the city center, but this is not the case. “
Olivier L’Hoste (Manager of the Esperluète bookstore)
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The closure of bookstores had been widely criticized during the second confinement, in November, “which perhaps explains why we are very supported today”, continues Olivier L’Hostis.
“There is no cinema, theater or museum. Bookstores are the only cultural offer that remains. “
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