A LOCKDOWN-DEFYING hairdresser reopened her salon today, but is refusing to wear a mask or PPE (personal protective equipment).

Quinn Blakey Hairdressing, based in Bradford Road, Oakenshaw, has been the subject of much controversy throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

Its owner, Sinead Quinn, kept her salon open when it was illegal to do so last year and was handed a hefty fine for her actions.

The salon's Instagram page also indicated it would defy the Government once again this year and open for business from January 30, on a day dubbed "The Great Reopening".

But that never came to fruition and the salon has remained closed ever since.

Ms Quinn took to Instagram today to express her happiness at being able to reopen officially again.

On the Quinn Blakey Hairdessing Instagram account story this morning she shared her thoughts and wished other businesses luck with the day ahead.

The owner said: "Morning guys, hope everything goes okay for everyone today.

"We are finally open and I've got a broken arm, yay."

But interestingly, she was without a face mask or any form of PPE.

The Government's guidance states that staff in hairdressers opening on April 12 must wear masks and visors, unless they are exempt.

The guidelines also state that customers will probably be asked to use hand sanitiser and will have to wear a face covering, unless they are exempt. 

It seems a number of viewers of the initial Instagram story noticed the owner's lack of protective equipment, as she then uploaded another story four hours later responding.

The caption attached to the video said: "For people in my DMs asking about PPE".

The salon owner, who was grinning throughout the video, said: "No, I don't wear a mask, I don't wear any PPE.

"I don't wear a mask when I go out, in supermarkets, nothing.

"Because they don't work, do they?

"Otherwise we wouldn't be in lockdown every frigging few months."

Ms Quinn then this evening gloated about the fact police had visited her because of her actions.

She said on the salon's Instagram story: "Day one done, visit from the police as well, 'we've had reports you're not wearing a mask, or any PPE'.

"No, I'm not, so you're going to come every day because I'm not wearing a mask?"

The UK entered its first lockdown on March 23 last year.

This was then released at the start of June, 2020.

The second lockdown came into force five months later, on November 5.

This lasted for four weeks, until December 2.

The most recent lockdown came into force on January 6, 2021 and began to be eased in March.

One concerned individual - who did not wish to be named - criticised Ms Quinn for her actions.

She said: "I think she’s irresponsible and disrespectful to her clients, although I believe she doesn’t ask them to wear it either."

The T&A have approached Ms Quinn for comment.