Joey Gates, co-owner of the Terrace Barbers in Park Road, Coldean, said it was only when the mop-topped men came into the shop that he was able to see who they were.

Barbers, along with many other businesses across England, were forced to close in January as the country was plunged into a third national lockdown to curb rising coronavirus figures.

The Terrace Barbers in Brighton have shared some of the staggering transformations of their clients after they had their hair cut after lockdown

But, as part of the governments "roadmap" to lifting restrictions, they were allowed to reopen alongside non-essential retail and gyms last Monday.

Joey, 28, said people's self-styling habits had been completely different compared to some of the drastic measures employed during the initial lockdown last March.

"We definitely found there were more home haircuts after the first one," he said.

The Terrace Barbers in Brighton have shared some of the staggering transformations of their clients after they had their hair cut after lockdown

"Maybe it's because it was novel and no one knew when it would be over, but we had a lot of repair jobs to do when people came back to barbers (in July last year).

"This time, people seem to have just left it, we've faced some mountains of hair in the last week."

But Joey said this only added to the challenge of being a barber, and he and his colleagues had found they actually quite enjoyed having their skills put to the test.

The Terrace Barbers in Brighton have shared some of the staggering transformations of their clients after they had their hair cut after lockdown

"Usually people come to us every two weeks to a month, guys like to keep themselves looking trim nowadays.

"But, for us as barbers, really grown out hair or a barnet that has been badly cut at home is a lot of fun. It makes the job more enjoyable, weirdly."

Despite being faced with considerable growth and DIY botch jobs, Joey and his co-owners Adam Durrant and Jake Dawes have always managed to cut clients' locks back into shape.

The Terrace Barbers in Brighton have shared some of the staggering transformations of their clients after they had their hair cut after lockdown

Joey said: "The difficulty usually depends on how long it's been since they hacked it off. If it's fresh you can sometimes get into a bit of trouble, but usually people come back in after their mum or partner has had a go a few weeks or months back, so we've always been able to save it.

"But their have been less home haircuts this time. Maybe people were scared off from letting other people do it after the first lockdown?

"There were definitely some repair jobs the first time around."

The Terrace Barbers in Brighton have shared some of the staggering transformations of their clients after they had their hair cut after lockdown

There was one client in particular who stuck in Joey's mind from the first return to barbers last summer.

"One of our older clients came back after the first lockdown. He is a regular so we see him every month, he keeps his hair really neat in a clean, classic style.

"But, over the break, his partner had a go. He came in with actual holes in his hair, right down to the scalp.

The Terrace Barbers in Brighton have shared some of the staggering transformations of their clients after they had their hair cut after lockdown

"We managed to get it back to where it was meant to be, but it was a bit of a hardship."

However, last week, Joey faced the exact opposite problem. Rather than clients who had received particularly severe buzz cuts from razor-wielding partners, they were instead met with a line of customers whose lengthy locks were in desperate need of some love.

"There were people who have come to me for four or five years," Joey said.

The Terrace Barbers in Brighton have shared some of the staggering transformations of their clients after they had their hair cut after lockdown

"With the rules at the moment, people have to wait outside. I have had people stand out there and literally not known who they were, they don't look like the same people.

"With many of them, I have never seen them with grown-out hair before."

Joey and the team soon have them back to their usual, stylish selves. And the barber said it has been great to have customers coming through the door once again.

"It's been a great little week back," Joey said.

The Terrace Barbers in Brighton have shared some of the staggering transformations of their clients after they had their hair cut after lockdown

"The last year has been tough for us, as well as other barbers and small businesses in general. But we are lucky with what we do, barbers are one of those services people have really missed - us and pubs.

"When we do return to work there's a real buzz around our industry. It's exciting for us and our customers, knowing everyone will be grateful to finally have their hair cut is an amazing feeling.

"Last week was one of the best weeks I have ever had in the shop. Everyone is optimistic, I don't know if it's because pubs, barbers and gyms are back, people hoping it's the last lockdown, but there's a good energy. Everybody is positive."

From left, co-owners Joey Gates, Adam Durrant and Jake Dawes

The Terrace Barbers is the trio's most recent addition to their ranks, with the three of them also running several other businesses in Brighton.

The shop is based in the same building as the Ruby Pub, allowing them the perk of being able to offer beers to customers while they wait for their haircut.

It was due to welcome its first clients last March, but the grand opening was pushed back by the outbreak of the coronavirus crisis.

The Terrace Barbers is based at the Ruby Pub in Coldean, Brighton

"We created it to be a real social hub, a community area where people come down for a chat," Joey said. "Everything was ready to go and looking good.

"To then be told that social distancing was coming in and people have to wait outside until it is their turn was a real knock.

"But, come June-time, that's when we will really start to push on."