As if the past year hasn't been strange enough, the increased prevalence of mop tops, buzz cuts and even mullets around Penarth has really added to the surrealness.

Prior to their reopening on Monday, hairdressers had been closed for almost three months - and the town's beauty standards have declined dramatically.

Residents have been flocking back to their barbers, and appointments have been hard to come by. But how do the professionals feel about their return to work?

"After three months out the game, my knees are hurting, back's hurting, legs are hurting, but it's really good to be back and seeing all the customers," Alessandro Calliva from Capello's Barbers in Windsor Arcade.

"But although I do feel guilty saying it, I did enjoy the time off - not having the chaos of running a business."

His colleague Rhys Willis - who was tasked with damage control when this patchily shaved-headed reporter walked through Capello's doors - has a less complicated attitude towards the return to work.

"I was getting sick of playing Call of Duty, to be honest. Feels great to be back cutting hair and we've been really busy which is good."

When lockdown was first imposed last year, some nervously speculated that the industry would struggle to recover.

Men's hair clipper sales boomed by 228.2% in April 2020 and people began to get used to life without trained hairdressers.

Furlough, business grants and financial support for the self-employed kept barbers going during lockdown.

And Alessandro says he is not concerned about the industry's ability to bounce back.

"I think everyone's realised how hard it is to cut hair and are really grateful that barbers are back open.

"If seen some really dodgy trims this week. First one back was the worst actually - his Mrs tried to give him a mullet. Other people have been letting their mates do it.

"I think people appreciate our trade a lot more."