It’s official. Car showrooms WILL be allowed to open from 1 June
The government has confirmed that car showrooms will be allowed to open in England from 1 June.
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson said outdoor markets and car showrooms will be able to reopen, as soon as they are able to meet the Covid-19 secure guidelines to protect shoppers and workers.
As with garden centres, the risk of transmission of the virus is lower in these outdoor and more open spaces. Car showrooms often have significant outdoor space and it is generally easier to apply social distancing.
Car showrooms have been closed since lockdown began on 23 March, but have been able to sell cars online, make deliveries where possible, and offer ‘click and collect’ solutions.
Great to hear Government has listened. 1 June reopening for UK’s car showrooms - a sensible, safe next step to unlocking UK’s vital auto industry to help Britain get back to business #unlockukauto
Read our industry guidance for retail here: https://t.co/HdFUtr403W… pic.twitter.com/wwGDfLqGxP— SMMT (@SMMT) May 26, 2020
The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) has been calling on government to allow the country’s 4,900-strong network of new car showrooms to reopen as a matter of urgency.
Last week, it revealed that keeping UK car showrooms shut during the coronavirus pandemic costs the UK £61m a day through lost tax income and essential furlough funding.
