Builders merchants gear up for openings
Trade body the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) yesterday welcomed the phased route map announced by the Scottish Government to ease lockdown restrictions.
The organisation, whose members operate from 420 branches and 26 manufacturing sites across Scotland, said the plans set out by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Thursday would enable firms to gear-up to meet demand when construction works are reintroduced.
John Newcomb, chief executive of the BMF, said: “The phased approach set out by the First Minister will enable our members to schedule their activities accordingly.
“They will be able to plan ahead and meet the demands for building products and materials, once the construction industry returns to work in the future.”
He noted that 90 per cent of BMF merchant members were currently open or partially open, to support essential works, with restrictions in place to ensure “safety first”.
Meanwhile, Scottish
Licensed Trade Association managing director Colin Wilkinson said yesterday: “We welcome the release of the Scottish Government’s route map to recovery and see this as an important start to a return to some sort of normality whatever that may be.
“The announcement that licensed premises with outdoor areas will be able to reopen sooner is of some comfort for those who can provide this facility and at a scale which makes it viable to do so and can overcome social distancing restriction. But for most… there is no early reprieve.”