BOLTON’S businesses have been left reeling after being told they are still subject to Covid 19 restrictions ­— as lockdown rules are relaxed across England.

Today the leisure industry - including casinos and bowling alleys - across England will reopen, and the beauty industry and tattoo studios will be allowed to offer all close contact services and treatments.

But in Bolton and across Greater Manchester, extra measures to stop the spread of the virus will remain in place for at least another week.

And local couples will also miss out as they will still not be allowed to invite more people to their wedding reception — with such celebrations being allowed up to 30 people elsewhere in the country.

It is the second blow to the beauty industry after the government withdrew plans at the last minute earlier this month allowing beauticians to offer close contact services, such as facials and eye-brow waxing.

Dina Varsani, who runs Devine Hair & Beauty in Church Road, Horwich, says she has once again been left frustrated.

Following the announcement salons could offer all treatments across most of England, she had customers ringing to book appointments.

She said: “This is so frustrating.

“I heard that we could offer more services on Thursday and then I woke up on Friday with people saying Bolton’s businesses are not included.

"No one has told me anything officially and I was going to ring the council to find out what is the latest guidance.

“I have appointments booked – we are not getting clear guidance, it is so confusing. Last time we were told the night before that we couldn’t offer those services and I had to cancel and now will have to do the same.

“No one seems to know what is happening, How are we able to plan a business like this?

“Lockdown has had a massive impact on the business, we were closed for five months.”

Dina said she is grateful for the support given to her by her clients.

“They are so supportive, they have been booking treatments that the would not usually have to support me. I received a message from one which nearly made me cry. They have been so sweet."

Sonia Crosby who runs the long established Beauty by Sonia, says her salon and the beauty industry by its very nature has always made hygiene and customer safety a priority, long before the pandemic struck, making it a safe place.

She said: “I am pleased to be back in work and grateful to be able to be able to do treatments but 70 per cent of treatments I offer are close contact which are restricted. This is a specialist skin clinic and we are not able to do that work because it is close contact.

“We have full PPE and it is being used for all treatments. We already had track and trace before covid, because we always take the client’s details.

“Hygiene is a priority for us because of the work we do.

She added: “I have a very loyal clientele and am so grateful for their support.”

Daniel Watson of Vida Loca Tattoo Studio says they do not normally carry out face tattoos, so the local lockdown measures will not have a major impact, but he said he understood the frustration felt by the other industries.

“We are not even offering neck tattoos, it is easier just to say no, so we won’t be affected,” he said, “Business has been really busy since we opened after lockdown, and we have new customers in too.”

He said the tattoo parlour had strict hygiene measures in place before covid for customer and staff safety.

A Greater Manchester Combined Authority spokesperson said: “We understand that this is a frustrating time for business owners, particularly in the areas affected, and it is important that these restrictions are reviewed on a weekly basis.

"We do not want any part of Greater Manchester to go in lockdown. But this requires us all to pull together right now. It’s a moment in which we all need to be aware of what is happening, follow the guidance and protect the health of everyone in Greater Manchester.”

Health Minister Edward Argar said: "I'd like to thank everyone in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, East Lancashire and Leicester for their continued patience in following these vital rules put in place to tackle the spread of the disease - I know it hasn't been easy.

"We will review the measures again next week as part of our ongoing surveillance and monitoring of the latest data.

"It is essential we all remain vigilant, and I urge everyone in these areas to continue to follow the rules."