Beauty shops may be reopening, but is this the death of the salon as we knew it?
Many of these businesses have been given the green light to welcome back customers – and shops specialising in services that require facial contact, such as eyebrow shaping and waxing, will also be permitted to reopen from August.
But despite their return, there’s still a big concern that businesses will take a huge hit from the pandemic.
The lockdown didn’t just stop income, it has threatened to reduce the number of future customers as well.
Being stuck at home for months on end prompted people to try DIY beauty tips in replacement of their salon experience, looking to the likes of TikTok to learn lash lifts, nail-painting and hair cutting/colouring skills.
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Some found the experience a success. But others suffered disastrous results.
Manchester salon Beauty and Bubbles confirmed this, stating: “Most people we have spoken to have had bad DIY beauty fails and wouldn’t trust doing it themselves again!”
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The kind of events that prompt people to visit the salon are currently in short supply. There’s no longer a need for pre-holiday nail extensions and spray tans, whereas the continued closure of nightclubs means fewer people will be booking makeup appointments (is there a point in these anyway, when half of our face will be covered by a mask?)
But will a quieter world deter customers from visiting the salon?
Beauty and Bubbles is more optimistic.
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People enjoy feeling special and pampered, and the owners believe that salons will be just as popular as ever after lockdown.
“We feel beauty is essential for most people as it helps people feel good about themselves, giving them that boost of confidence,” they said.
“Our clients have been eager to get back into the salon, as have we!”
But salons are also hoping customers return for the camaraderie as well as the service.
The salon isn’t just a place for cosmetic procedures. It’s where people come for friendly chat, gossip, and to talk to other people in the community.
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For many, visiting these businesses is no different to the socialisation you’d find at the pub. And people have missed it.
Will you be rushing back to the salons now that they have reopened, or are you opting for DIY treatments in the future?
Make sure you check out Beauty and Bubbles for all your beauty treatment needs and help to support local businesses during this difficult time.
Style
Manchester Storm announce partnership with USAsports including NHL pop-ups and more
Danny Jones
Manchester Storm have announced a landmark new deal with USAsports, a dedicated home for British fans of North American sporting disciplines and global merchandising suppliers, which will see various exciting events this upcoming season.
Confirming the collaboration ahead of the pending 2026/27 campaign, this crossover will involve everything from special pop-up events to player sponsorships and much more.
USAsports specialise in officially licensed NHL, NFL, NBA and MLB clothing, and while you may have seen the odd jersey here and there at various Greater Manchester locations, they are now gearing up to work with Manchester Storm to deliver better exposure.
Whether you’re just a die-hard member of the Storm Shelter or an ex-pat who still follows an NHL franchise overseas, kit collecting and the fascination surrounding limited edition team jumpers is a big part of ice hockey fandom and culture not just here in the UK but around the world.
Sharing their own announcement, they wrote: “Manchester Storm are thrilled to announce a new partnership with USAsports for the 2026/27 Motorpoint Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) season as the club embarks on an exciting new chapter at the AO Arena.
“As part of the partnership, USAsports will sponsor a Manchester Storm player throughout the season and deliver multiple NHL Pop-Up Shop events at Storm home games during the forthcoming campaign.”
On the subject of sponsorship, commercial entities are the only people who will be given the opportunity to back big players this term, as Storm are once again bringing back their ‘own-and-loan’ scheme.
Speaking on working closely with their new partners, the club’s General Manager, Ryan Finnerty, added: “We’re delighted to have USAsports on board for the 2026/27 season.
“Their passion for the fan experience really stood out to us, and their NHL Pop-Up Shops throughout the season will be a fantastic addition to game days at the AO Arena.
“We’re looking forward to working together throughout what promises to be a very exciting season.”
As casual fans here at The Manc, we’ll admit that watching the growing buzz around the resurgent ice hockey team, especially ahead of their Manchester city centre ‘homecoming’, has got us amped to dive deeper into the sport when it gets back underway next month. We’re not the only ones, either…
Drama Call opening first-ever flagship shop in Manchester
Danny Jones
Streetwear superstars Drama Call are opening their new flagship store and first-ever permanent site in Manchester city centre this weekend.
Expect massive queues and lots turning up wearing the increasingly recognisable starry logo.
Already a much-loved brand not just here in 0161 but across the nation at large, the native independent business turned street-style favourites and UK fashion phenomenon are no strangers to HUGE pop-ups in their hometown.
However, they’ve never had a mainstay location anywhere in the country, let alone Greater Manchester – well, until now, that is…
Credit: Press shots (supplied)
Debuting in the Northern Quarter this Sunday, the venue located on Tib Street will effectively serve as Drama Call‘s new HQ.
The local label has done everything from popping up vans with Manc rapper Aitch to collaborating with Man United for multiple limited edition collections, so it only felt like a matter of time before they’d make a big brick-and-mortar splash in our fair city.
Most notably, they’re also taking over the same unit as the Sheep Shop, a former skate shop and legendary urban clothing tastemaker of the 90s; they were one of the first places in Britain to stock famous names like Stüssy, Supreme, Carhartt, The North Face and many more.
With that in mind, it feels only fitting that they carry on the trendsetting tradition from the same premises, and just spitting distance from the likes of Note, as well.
And that’s not all, either: before the full launch, they’ll also be holding an exclusive cash-only shirt swap event, where a limited number of certain collector’s items will be sold for as little as £10.
Other things to note are the additions of signed vinyls by homegrown artists such as the aforementioned Aitch and even The Smiths.
In fact, the store will also feature strictly Mancunian exclusives, too.
Everything from polo shirts and tees to branded mugs, matchboxes and other accessories will be available in-store only.
NQ is bound to be buzzing across launch weekend, with doors officially opening to the public on Sunday, and we wouldn’t be surprised if you see people camping outside the front well ahead of time.
What a moment the Manc shopping scene is having right now.
Daisy Bradbury -
24th July 2020 
