25 May 2020

Car showrooms will be allowed to reopen from 1 June, PM Boris Johnson confirmed in Monday 25 May’s daily briefing. A formal announcement will come later this week. The lift in restrictions is subject to social distancing regulations.

Answering a question on Sunday about when retailers would be able to reopen, the Prime Minister said the UK was “firmly on the roadmap” to phase two but it would be contingent on the R rate of transmission remaining low. He had previously said phase two was likely to be confirmed on Thursday (28 May).

Sky News reports PM Boris Johnson held a cabinet meeting on Monday to discuss easing lockdown measures, which included reopening car dealerships. However, no changes are expected before June 1.

Required measures will include social distancing signs, hand sanitiser stations and one-way walking arrangements.

Volvo chief executive Hakan Samuelsson has spoken of ‘revenge buying’, reports the Daily Mail. “People are tired of sitting at home locked in and want to go out and buy.” Research by What Car? indicates one in five car buyers is looking to purchase in June.