Retail re-opening to push up car usage: Garages get ready

25 May 2020  

Car usage is likely to increase when the further easing of lockdown restrictions announced by the Prime Minister today (Monday 25 May) comes into play from the middle of next month, meaning garages could see demand for their services increase from that point.

At the daily Downing Street Press Conference, P.M Boris Johnson unveiled plans for allowing non-essential shops to reopen from Monday 15 June.  He did advice that the proposed easing was “contingent on progress in the fight against coronavirus”, and that businesses that did reopen as a result would need to follow government guidelines to protect customers and staff alike.

Reopening the UK’s general retail sector will mean more car journeys by consumers, and with the government urging workers to eschew public transport where possible, more shop staff too.

At the same time, Car showrooms are already set to reopen from next Monday (1 June), and the SMMT has already published guidance to help them reopen safely. Outdoor markets will also be allowed to reopen on the same day, a fortnight earlier than other non-essential retailers.

Also commenting on the proposed retail re-opening, Business Secretary Alok Sharma observed: “Enabling these businesses to open will be a critical step on the road to rebuilding our economy, and will support millions of jobs across the UK.”