Blackpool's car dealers gearing up to reopen showrooms

The resort's car dealerships were among the non-essential retailers ordered to close in March to help slow the spread of coronavirus and dealers have been waiting for guidance on when they could reopen.

Guidance published on May 13 explicitly mentions car showrooms in the businesses told to remain closed. According to the latest government documents on easing lockdown restrictions, the earliest car dealers will be able to reopen appears to be June 1.

Arnold Clark has two branches in the resort, a Renault/Dacia showroom on Amy Johnson Way and a Vauxhall dealership on Lytham St Annes Way

The company said it's putting arrows and markers on the floors of its showrooms, similar to ones seen in supermarkets, to comply with social distancing guidelines.

A spokesman added: "We’ve also installed protective screens and created new contactless payment and paperwork processes. A number of hand sanitiser stations will also be available throughout our branches.

"We’ve put a number of new processes in place and every Arnold Clark employee has had to complete mandatory health and safety training to help them and our customers stay safe. Our employees will be given appropriate PPE and a minimum of two metres will be kept between working areas in line with social distancing guidelines."

Evans Halshaw has kept a limited amount of its UK dealerships open during the lockdown, working on an appointment only basis, however its Ford showroom on Vicarage Lane and Peugeot dealership on Preston New Road have remained closed since March.

A spokesman for Evans Halshaw said: "Whist our showrooms remain closed, we are able to take enquiries and sell cars to our customers.

"The safety of our customers and associates are of paramount importance to us."

The spokesman added that a number of safeguarding measures have been implemented markers, protective screens and all employees having daily temperature screenings.

The planned reopening of dealerships comes after the UK saw a 97 per cent decrease in new car registrations last month due to the closures. Just over 4,000 new cars were registered - the fewest since 1946. However, industry observers expect a spike in sales when businesses reopen.

Rachael Prasher, managing director of What Car?, said: “We know from our weekly online audience surveys that nearly one in five car buyers are preparing to purchase a new car when showrooms reopen. That pent-up demand is great news for under-pressure retailers and manufacturers.

“However, with the allowable date for dealership premises reopening pushed further back than many businesses were hoping for, it is also increasingly critical that retailers and manufacturers ensure that they are responding to and nurturing to enquiries now.”