Drive to sell cars is back up and running
Dealerships reopen with social distancing measures in place
Scarborough’s car showrooms have reopened following more than two months of enforced closure due to coronavirus.
The Government permitted dealers to re-open at the start of the week as long as they adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Several changes have been made, including screens at showroom desks and one-way systems.
Des Winks, in Hopper Hill Road in Eastfield, is one of the showrooms which has re-opened.
Sales manager Andy Veitch said he has been looking forward to welcoming back customers.
Test drives aside, he said the nature of their business means social distancing is fairly straightforward.
“We don’t have the same footfall as supermarkets or high street shops,” he said.
“We are open for people to drop in but we are also asking people to make appointments if possible to help us manage footfall.”
The team at Des Winks are offering both unaccompanied and accompanied test drives, with full risk assessments and PPE available.
Mr Veitch said they are also utilising technology to guide people through vehicle controls and features.
While the dealership was shut, it ran online buying options with a click and collect service for customers to drive their car away.
The effect of lockdown has been devastating on the UK car industry, with new vehicle registrations down 97 per cent.
Car showrooms, with many other businesses, were ordered to shut in March by the Government in a bid to reduce the number of coronavirus infections.
Now they are open again, dealerships have had to put in social distancing guidance, such as signs or floor stickers reminding customers and staff to observe a two-metre distance from other people at all times.
Hand sanitiser stations have been placed around showrooms and non-essential elements such as tea and coffee facilities, magazines and children’s toys being removed.
Show cars are opened on request, then cleaned between customers.