The owner of a long-established Dubbo barbershop says it's been "humbling" to see so many clients after the lifting of the COVID lockdown. Ty Hawkins worked long days as scores of men who hadn't been able to have a haircut since August 11 made the task a priority. His salon The Barber Shop in Fitzroy Street became a destination, with a line-up of clients on the morning of October 11, a trend also evident at other city barbers. Mr Hawkins, who carried on the family business, said he opened at 8am and kept cutting and trimming until 6.30pm, working 10.5-hour days and 90 minutes longer than usual. He said the number of haircuts for several days was "a hell of a lot more" than he usually did. While it might have been long days, the barber felt appreciated by his clients. "Reopening was as busy as I thought it would be but it was how everyone was happy to wait and get a haircut," Mr Hawkins said. "They all seem to be really happy to stand or sit out the front and have a chat with everyone and anyone, I think the only thing missing was a good coffee or beer. "They seem to been happy to see me and get a haircut "It has been really humbling to see everyone and I appreciated that they all came in. "They all seemed to be glad the wait was over for a haircut and generally interested in how I have been going and how I and my family coped with the lockdown "Just want to say the biggest thank you to all of the blokes for their support."
