"The impact of clients not arriving for appointments is very damaging for businesses."

After a long wait, hairdressers, barbers beauticians open their doors today as a number of restrictions ease. While hairdressers are keen to welcome clients back into their salons, the Hair and Beauty Industry Confederation (HAIBC) have urged customers to show up for their appointments. The group's CEO Margaret O'Rourke said: "We are delighted that the long wait for our members is finally over with hair and beauty salons opening their doors tomorrow for appointments. "We can now recommence to provide the essential personal care services we carry out across Ireland. "As the first few weeks will be hectic, we would like to thank customers for their support and patience." She continued: "We would also strongly encourage customers to support us against the potential of no shows. "If they are unable to attend their appointment for any reason, it is essential that they cancel or reschedule their appointment, as the impact of clients not arriving for appointments is very damaging for businesses." She added: "It means other customers cannot be accommodated, thus causing a massive loss in sales at a point when salons are already struggling." Indeed, the failure of clients to show up for their appointments costs the industry greatly. According to Phorest Salon Software, over €500,000 is lost per day through no shows. As well as the reopening of salons, a number of other restrictions ease today. Click and collect services for non-essential retail and appointment-only shopping begin today. Galleries, museums, libraries and other cultural attractions reopen today, while inter-county travel is now permitted. A maximum of three households, or six people from an individual household can meet outdoors, and in private gardens. Fully vaccinated people, meanwhile, can meet other fully vaccinated people indoors with no more than three households attending.