13 May 2020

New guidance from the Department for Business has stated that while all retail must remain closed, click and collect can operate. However, the Government has today (13 May) confirmed car showrooms are to remain closed for the time being.

The guidance states for all retail: “All retail, other than those exempt, must close their premises to members of the public. However, staff may be present to make deliveries or provide services in response to orders such as those through telephone, online, or mail.
“Click and collect services can also operate, though customers must not enter premises listed.”

The listed firms include car showrooms. See the Department for Business website.

The revised BEIS information follows Monday’s announcement that car showrooms will be able to reopen from 1 June, at the earliest, placing them in the second stage of the Prime Minister’s plan to restart the economy, according to the Government’s latest guidance issued today (11 May).

UPDATED 15:30, 13 May 2020: Speaking to Auto Retail Agenda, NFDA director, Sue Robinson said: “Following updated Government guidance issued this morning, NFDA can confirm that although physical ‘car showrooms’ should remain closed to the public pending further developments, dealers are entitled to offer a ‘click and collect’ service at dealerships for vehicles purchased remotely.”

Mrs Robinson added that provided dealers follow strict social distancing and hygiene protocols at their sites (and provided customers do not enter the actual ‘car showroom’ to organise/complete the collection), customers may visit dealership premises to collect purchased vehicles (as well as dropping off vehicles for repair, servicing etc. and collecting them post repair/service).

“While it is up to each dealer to decide what collection (or delivery) format best suits their operations, NFDA would suggest that handover/paperwork is completed on the dealership forecourt / in the dealership parking area, using an appointment system with appropriate social distancing and hygiene measures in place (as explained in separate Government and NFDA/SMMT guidance).”

Tags: BEIS, click and collect, Coronavirus, Covid-19