Argus reporter Connor Stringer on the joy of the barbers

8.00 am... that is the time I walked through the pearly gates and into the room I vow never to take for granted again.

Greeted by light-hearted chatter and the faint buzz of clippers working their magic - I was finally back.

For almost five months now, barbers across the country have been forced to close their doors, leaving clients - myself included - in disarray, growing mops that would give even the most experienced castaway a run for their money.

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Brighton and Hove had been plunged into tier four on Boxing Day, meaning pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops were forced to close.

You couldn't try and negotiate a home cut either, as restrictions meant households couldn't mix.

Like many others, I was forced to take matters into my own hands during the third national lockdown and cut my own hair - and like many others - I looked ridiculous.

Connor's home hairdressing experiment didn't go so well

So, when the Prime Minister announced that non-essential shops, including barbers, would reopen on April 12 as part of the roadmap to recovery, I made sure I was first in line.

And with that, I was the first walk-in my barber had on the day, as dozens more lined up for their turn.

"I can't believe how many people want their haircut," she told me.

"This time has been worse than before. People have had to grow their hair long."

I felt safe as everyone in the shop wore masks and sanitised equipment after every cut.

They were even taking card payments and customers stayed socially distanced while eagerly waiting their turn.

It took almost 45 minutes to turn me from castaway to something slightly less ridiculous.

The satisfied customer enjoying his new trim

I know many will read and scowl at my efforts to make sure I got a haircut.

But for a lot of us, a barber is more than just the person who makes that picture you show them a reality.

The barbers is a place for men to open up, where our biggest secrets are shared and deepest thoughts revealed, all in full confidence knowing they won't go anywhere.

After all, that is what made Sweeney Todd the perfect criminal. It is a relationship built on trust.

And that is why I am already counting down the days until I can go back.