AN entrepreneurial barber from Worcester has set up a virtual queueing app so the hair and beauty industry can get back on its feet as soon as possible when lockdown is lifted.

The idea for ‘QSafe’ came from Worcester barber Ellis Campbell who has run his business in Broad Street for 10 years. Mr Campbell, like others in the industry, has been forced to close temporarily due to coronavirus but is eager to hit the ground running when lockdown is over. The IOS and android application is designed to help businesses in the hair and beauty industry who offer walk-in services, allowing customers to join a virtual queue so social distancing can be maintained. His aim is for the queuing app to go live before July 4, the earliest many can expect to reopen. The technology was developed for Mr Campbell and business partner Dean Nicholas by Green Gorilla which tailored the scheme to their needs and specifications.

Each business which subscribes for £25 per month gets a unique QR code which they can place inside the shop window. Customers who download the app can then scan the code on their phones. They are then placed in a virtual queue and receive a notification when they are ready to be seen, helping maintain social distancing. The 30-year-old of Perdiswell said: “The main and most stand-out point of QSafe is social distancing. As we have all seen on the news we need to embrace the new normal. QSafe fits perfectly - in a barber’s shop, in the whole of the beauty world, for nails, sunbeds, anywhere you think that people can gather, this can no longer happen. QSafe will allow you space and your customers time to do the things they need to do whilst waiting for their appointment with you.”

Mr Campbell hopes when social distancing is a thing of the past the app can continue to be useful, helping the industry make better use of available floorspace so they can grow their businesses and increase revenue. Mr Campbell said interest was building each day in the UK with the potential to for a wider reach in future. The former Blessed Edward student completed his barbering apprenticeship in Malvern before opening Ellis Campbell & Co. He is prepared to offer free trials to local businesses and encourages them to contact QSafe at info@myqspace.co.uk and put their business name in the subject. All businesses can subscribe at www.myqsafe.co.uk