A group of motor retailers in Darlington, Durham and Stockton have revealed the ‘new normal’ customers can expect when car dealerships open on Monday (June 1).
The dealerships are:
- Bristol Street Motors Durham Ford, Abbey Road
- Bristol Street Motors Durham Vauxhall, High Street
- Bristol Street Motors Darlington Nissan, McMullen Road
- Bristol Street Motors Darlington Skoda, McMullen Road
- Bristol Street Motors Darlington SEAT, McMullen Road
- Vertu Honda Stockton, Concorde Way
The aftersales facilities have already opened and been adapted to ensure the safety of customers and colleagues with significant safeguards in place and further measures are in place for the safe resumption of sales of new and used cars.
Across dealerships customers can expect a number of different ways of working including:
- Colleagues will have their temperature taken on arrival at work – anyone with a fever will be sent home to self-isolate or be tested for Covid-19
- A warm welcome in the form of a friendly, touch-free greeting rather than a handshake
- Social distancing rules maintained at all time with clear signage in the form of posters and/or floor markings
- An appointment only system to support social distancing
- Test drives will be undertaken alone, with sales executives following in a separate vehicle
- All paperwork will be provided electronically, and payments will only be accepted via bank transfer or debit or credit card
- New, used and courtesy cars will be locked at all times when not in use and thoroughly sanitised between customers
- Face masks, single use gloves and hand sanitiser will be available to customers and colleagues
- Technicians will thoroughly clean the contact points of vehicle before and after carrying out work
- Technicians will wear gloves, masks and use protective coverings while working on the vehicle
- Service desks will have Perspex screens, as the majority of shops already utilise
A video detailing what customers can expect when visiting the dealerships is on this link: https://www.bristolstreet.co.uk/switch-on/.
Robert Forrester, chief executive of Vertu Motors plc, said: “Across the Group colleagues have been putting significant resource into making sure that our dealerships are safe workplaces, and safe environments for customers.
“We have been working towards opening for some time, following government advice and the wider motor industry standards, and it is important that customers know what to expect when they visit one of our sites.
“I have personally seen the hard work that has gone into these preparations. We are delighted to be able to welcome customers back to our dealerships, albeit with a different, safe but always professional and friendly way of working.”