A HALESOWEN hairdresser is not hopeful salons will reopen in April as outlined in the PM's roadmap out of lockdown.

Helen Tether, who runs Helen Tether's Award-Winning Hair on Gorsty Hill, says she fears there will be a spike in cases after schools return on March 8 - and is not confident salons will reopen on April 12 as set out in Boris Johnson's timetable for the easing of lockdown.

She has already been contacted today by clients desperate to get their hair done.

The Prime Minister announced today (Monday February 22) that all schools will reopen from March 8.

The only other easing from that date is that two people will be allowed to meet outdoors.

The next stage of loosening will come on March 29, when the formal Stay at Home edict is finally dropped in favour of 'Stay Local', and the Rule of Six makes a comeback.

It will be extended to allow two households to gather, enabling relatives to meet properly for the first time in months.

That date will also see the reopening of tennis courts and golf courses and the return of grassroots football.

Shops, hairdressers and pubs must remain closed until April 12 at the earliest - the same time gyms can get back up and running. Pints and meals can only be consumed outdoors.

Mum-of-one Helen, of Lodgefield Road, Halesowen, said: "I think because the schools are all going back in one go and it's not being drip fed at all that the cases will go up and the date will be put back.

"I have moved appointments before and then everything's changed again. I don't have much faith in it if I'm honest.

"I have only worked five months in the last year.

"I have already had people getting in touch after the announcement, but the people who had appointments cancelled will be first in line."

Helen, aged 38, has one member of staff who is on furlough and three self-employed hairdressers who rent chairs.

She has won multiple awards.

She revamped her salon during the lockdown last year ready for reopening.

She says she is not making any moves towards reopening - including booking appointments for people who had theirs cancelled when salons closed on December 30 and will wait for official confirmation from the government the week before the April 12 date.

Hairdressers closed last March when lockdown came into effect. They opened in July and then closed last November. They opened on December 4 and closed again on December 30 - since that date they have remained closed.