Image source, PA

Beauty therapists wasted little time ushering in the easing of lockdown restrictions across England as long-awaited hair and beauty treatments began when the clock struck twelve.

Monday marks the first time salons and hairdressers are able to treat customers since the third national lockdown was legally imposed in England on 6 January.

One of the beauty companies delivering midnight services was Secret Spa, which offers at-home salon and spa treatments at home across London, Manchester and Brighton.

At the stroke of midnight, co-owner Emily Ewart-Perks, alongside hair stylist Nas Ganev and tan artist Magdelaine Gibson, visited a home in Balham, south London to offer their long-awaited services to clients Amy Pallister and Isabella Robinson.

"It's so amazing. It's just been such a long time coming," Ms Ewart-Perks said.

"I know that our therapists are just so happy to be working with clients again.

"Everyone has really missed the social contact of the day-to-day job and making clients happy. We haven't been able to do that for the best part of five-to-six months."

Image source, PA

Ms Pallister, who received the first hair cut of the day, said the return of beauty services could not have come sooner.

"(The haircut) feels amazing, I can't stop touching it," she said.

"(It's been) about seven or eight months, since my last one, so I had some very split ends.

"I'm very impatient, so I didn't want to wait. (I booked it) as soon as they could fit me in."

Image source, Reuters

In response to the easing of restriction, the Metropolitan Police said it will be "stepping up" patrols in high footfall areas from Monday.

Jane Connors, the Met's Deputy Assistant Commissioner, said: "The Met is ready to welcome back people to the streets of London. We will be stepping up our patrols to busy high footfall areas, to look out for everyone's safety and to disrupt any criminal activity.

"Of course, where we need to take action against those who dangerously flout the rules we will do. While the case rate has declined in London, we have seen the concerning position in northern Europe. It is important that we all stick to the rules so further lockdowns, or restrictions, are avoided."

The next significant date is 17 May, when socialising indoors will be permitted under the "rule of six" - if the Prime Minister judges that the vaccination programme is safely breaking the link between infections and deaths.

Jamie Moreland
BBC London

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There were queues, crowds and dashes for the doors as dozens of shoppers swept into stores this morning on Oxford Street.

Despite flurries of snow, queues began forming from 06:30 BST outside shops including Primark, JD, Foot Locker and NikeTown, with some shoppers keen to buy newly released shoes.

Some young people were spotted running across roads to line up for whichever branch they thought might open first.

Inside shops, the atmosphere was less chaotic. Enthusiastic staff welcomed back customers and reminded people to sanitise their hands.

Most people wore masks and calmly respected social distancing.

Many consumers said they were excited to be back and felt safe with the Covid secure measures.

Image source, PA

Shoppers have started queuing outside London's Oxford Street stores this morning as some of England's lockdown rules are relaxed.

From today, non-essential shops and hairdressers are allowed to reopen, while pubs and restaurants are allowed to serve customers outside.

Some people were spotted running to join the queue outside JD Sports while crowds gathered around the front doors of nearby TK Maxx.

A large queue was also formed outside Size? in Carnaby Street.

BBC Weather

Today will start largely cloudy with outbreaks of showery rain spreading eastwards.

In the afternoon, the cloud will become patchier to allow some sunny spells, but there still will be a few showers.

Maximum Temperature: 8C to 11C (46F to 52F)

Empty stores and American sweets - what consumers on Oxford Street can expect to see as shops reopen.

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