Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

Reopening verdict: 'It was 'buzzing, chaotic and crazy'

Reopening verdict: 'It was 'buzzing, chaotic and crazy'

On Monday morning, many business owners across the country nervously flipped signs from 'closed' to 'open'.

Non-essential shops in England and Wales, as well as gyms, theme parks and hairdressers, were allowed to welcome customers again, more than three months after being forced to shut.

Several bosses told us all they had done to prepare for the big reopening - from paint jobs to buying new furniture.

They told BBC News how the first week of trading in the "new normal" went.

'Customers are hungry to come back'

Afolabi Akinola, Emeka Obanye and Joshua Oladimeji, founders of Elite Evolution, in Hackney, London, have made big changes in the time their gym has been closed.

They've upgraded the booking system, sanitised equipment and introduced new rules on not sharing boxing gloves.

Since reopening, they have allowed six clients in to train at a time, each working out within their own taped-out area.

"Reopening feels like we re-launched again - just like the good old days when we first started. We were really nervous but people seem revitalised," says Joshua.

The gym has seen about a 30% uplift in enquiries for personal training sessions and bookings for training slots since Monday.

"Our business line is buzzing with people wanting to come back," he adds.


In order to keep up with demand and ensure people can train at quieter times, they've been open 24 hours a day. Joshua says one client has booked in at 05:00 every day, while others have organised evening workouts around fasting periods during Ramadan.

He adds that the first week back has had a real "feel-good factor", with customers telling them getting back in the gym has boosted their mental health.

It's a lesson the firm is keen to take forward: "Covid and lockdown have brought about sadness, people losing loved ones and other challenges.

"We're trying to be more than just a gym and really put our focus on that mental health aspect too... although we do need specialist help and know it's a big challenge."

'It's been chaotic, but lovely'
Stacey Manning and her daughter leafleted customers to reassure them ahead of Monday's reopening

"'It's just been chaotic, but so lovely. It's so nice to see staff and clients back," says Stacey Manning.

In her hair and beauty salon, Ooh La La, in Coventry, customers have been booking up slots for total transformations.

"We're getting phone calls on the day with customers asking if we can squeeze them in - coming in with brown hair and asking to go bleach blonde!"

In the first week of trading, her team of hairdressers have largely been working from 08:00 until 20:00, while "quite a few" new clients have started plans for Botox treatments.

"These treatments aren't just cosmetic," Stacey adds. "People are leaving so happy after having a transformation after a year of staring at themselves on a computer screen and picking apart their flaws."


And the diary doesn't look set to quieten down until the end of May, although the salon is working at about half capacity to ensure social distancing.

Stacey has also been heartened by the return of some elderly clients. "One of our ladies has had both vaccines and sat there full of confidence having gels put back on her nails... in the previous lockdown you could hear how nervous she was in her voice.

"It's so nice seeing people more relaxed as restrictions ease - everyone seems so happy and excited."

'A little bit of blue sky is what we need'

On Monday morning, Julie Dalton, manager of Gulliver's Valley theme park in Rotherham, Yorkshire, walked across the car park performing final checks before thrill-seekers were allowed in.

"Hearing the music was a huge relief," she says. "It meant we were opening up again."

"We've not made a money since before Christmas and that's a long time not to have money coming into a business," she adds.

The park will reopen each weekend, with all of the available pre-booked slots taken.

Julie believes that a change of scene is what customers are after, following months of lockdown restrictions: "It's something different and means the kids have a bit of normality.

"A bit of blue sky and sunshine is what we desperately need as a nation - and people just need to be out and about for their mental health."


While she describes watching customers and staff return as a weight lifting, reopening has brought some challenges.

The theme park - which offers rides, attractions and mini-breaks - can't run shows, its restaurants are closed for indoor dining, and staff and customers must socially distance.

Like last summer, some guests have pushed back on the requirement to wear face masks on rides.

Julie says: "You have to deal with that, point out the markers and explain the face masks are there for a reason. I have to protect my team and you have get up close to people when you're checking seat belts or lap bars."

But she adds: "It's been incredibly positive overall - just knowing that the smiley faces are there behind the masks."

'Trade started slowly and suddenly exploded'

At Nostimo restaurant in central London, Monday saw a slower start to the day.

That was until the lunchtime service. "After 12:00, it exploded. We were full the whole time, with the next customers outside waiting and we were going like crazy", says Michael Petsalakis.

He says each day has been "extremely busy", with income increasing by 270% in comparison with when the Greek restaurant was just offering delivery services.

Nostimo's outdoor area can now seat 100 diners

All in all, the firm spent £130,000 on improvements ahead of reopening, which included taking over the space of a Mexican restaurant which closed next door.

Its outdoor dining areas, with brand new furniture and recently laid wooden flooring, are fully booked until Wednesday, with the exception of a few spaces for walk-ins.

Michael says customers have been like "children getting to go outside for playtime", favouring traditional Greek dishes such as moussaka or souvlaki.

He adds it's been a "pleasure" to see the return of the four members of staff who spent 12 months on furlough.

"We have missed seeing our staff and our customers' faces - that's why we're in the hospitality business."

Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Saudi Arabia Faces Uncertainty Over Succession After Mohammed bin Salman
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Majority of French Voters View Macron's Presidency as a Failure
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
Head of Gaza Aid Group Resigns Amid Humanitarian Concerns
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
×