It's one of the first places many of us want to go - but we might struggle to land an appointment.

Hairdressers and barbers are seeing their diaries fill up for months as people rush for a post-lockdown haircut, after the prime minister stuck to his April 12 reopening plan.

While some salons have waited until the last minute - and the prime minister's confirmation of when they can trade again - to open up for appointments, others have been rebooking clients for weeks and pledging to work more hours in a bid to cope with the demand.

Eastern Daily Press: Lauren Reeves, who runs Stone Hairdressing, has taken on 38 new clients and is working extra shifts.Lauren Reeves, who runs Stone Hairdressing, has taken on 38 new clients and is working extra shifts. (Image: Stone Hairdressing)

One salon owner, Lauren Reeves, who runs Stone Hairdressing in Norwich and works on her own, said she was completely booked up until June, even though she had decided to work six days a week instead of four for the first three weeks of reopening.

Eastern Daily Press: Deb Dominic, Hairsmiths.Deb Dominic, Hairsmiths. (Image: Supplied)

Another, Deb Dominic, who runs Hairsmiths, on Timber Hill, said her first available appointment was May 28. The return of weddings and huge demand for weekend slots meant many of her stylists had nothing now until July.

Other salon owners are juggling staff working on a rota system. Many have invested in upgrading their online booking systems to cope and so they can offer a cancellation or waiting list service.

Eastern Daily Press: Stone Hairdressing, Wensum Street, Norwich.Stone Hairdressing, Wensum Street, Norwich. (Image: Stone Hairdressing)

Ms Reeves, from Stone Hairdressing, which is based on Wensum Street, said: "I'm booked up to June and I've got 38 new customers which is brilliant. I'm so excited as I had hoped it was the last lockdown. It's silly to work extra for too long as you'll just burn yourself out so I'm being careful and doing extra days for the first three weeks.

"I feel lucky because I'm in a profession in which I have a guarantee that I'm going to be busy compared to the pub industry which just doesn't know."

Ms Dominic said: "My first space is something like May 28. Saturdays are super booked, I think due to weddings and Saturdays being in demand, some of us aren’t available until July.

Eastern Daily Press: Many of our readers are looking forward to a post-lockdown haircut.Many of our readers are looking forward to a post-lockdown haircut. (Image: Archant)

"But we have been recruiting and have added days, plus we have a cancellation list on our software that allows us to contact those requesting a cut or colour to reschedule. We also have a new apprentice starting.

"Last year was dire for so many apprentices and so many found themselves without a job."

Mark Blunsten, owner of The Egg salon, on Lower Goat Lane, said they had started phone bookings this week, with a receptionist in the salon Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm. They are now preparing to working Sundays as well.

"Weekend slots are limited as staff are working on rota system," he said. "Before lockdown, we were always closed Sunday. To keep with social distancing and demand we decided to open seven days a week and it's definitely needed now."

Swagger and Jacks barbers has also announced new extended opening hours to 7pm from Tuesday to Thursday. It waited for the prime minister's confirmation before it opened its booking system.

Eastern Daily Press: Barry Alan hair salon, Pottergate.Barry Alan hair salon, Pottergate. (Image: Barry Alan)

Barry Alan, of Barry Alan Hair Salon on Pottergate, said they were almost full up in April with some spaces in May.

And at the Moss Project, on Woburn Court, Guildhall Hill, they said: "We are full in April, in May we have the odd appointment but we're getting full up."

On Monday evening, prime minister Boris Johnson confirmed that hair salons would be able to reopen as planned on April 12.

The same announcement saw hospitality businesses including pubs and restaurants also given the green light to serve customers outdoors, while outdoor attractions can also reopen.

Hair and beauty salons have been significantly hit by the pandemic, with owners having weathered lengthy spells of closure.