AN OSWESTRY barber who opened her new shop on Monday said it is great to have some normality back as she welcomed customers in for the first time.

Chloe Jones has opened CJs hair salon in Cabin Lane, having set up her new business during the most recent lockdown.

The 25-year-old did not let the pandemic put her off her dream of having her own salon, and spent two weeks preparing the shop before restrictions were eased to allow her to open up on Monday.

She has been overwhelmed with the response and support of customers in her first few days.

“It’s been a bit of a mad rush – I only had the keys two weeks ago,” she said.

“It’s been very exciting and it’s definitely worth it now I’ve been able to open the shop.

“Having a salon of my own has always been a dream of mine, but I’ve never decided to do it until now.

“I’ve been qualified ever since I left school, and now I’ve got to a point where I thought it would be worth giving it a go.

“I’m doing barbering my side as that has been my main customer for the past five-and-a-half years.

“I am renting a chair out to a lady hairdresser – I have had some interest but nothing is set in stone just yet.”

With restrictions being eased in England earlier this week to allow close-contact services to resume, barbers across the country have been busy fixing lockdown haircuts.

Chloe said it felt pleasing and positive to see so many people happy to be back out after months of lockdown.

She said: “The atmosphere has been great among customers and it’s great to have people coming to the shop.

“Everyone seems so happy to have a bit of normality back which is nice.”

To find out more about Chloe’s barber shop, visit CJ’s on Facebook.