Scotland's car dealers reopen after 14 weeks in lockdown

Published 29 June 2020

Car dealerships in Scotland can reopen their doors today for the first time in 14 weeks. The move comes as First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, begins phase two of the easing of lockdown in Scotland.

The Scottish Government has allowed reopening of non-essential retailers such as car dealers today (29 June) - with certain new measures in place.

The announcement will come as good news to the country’s network of dealers, who up until now have only been able to offer click and collect services.

Dealers have been able to deal with customers and complete sales over the phone and online, but their showrooms have been closed to the public since the end of March, meaning motorists have been unable to view cars in person or test drive them.

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Dealerships, and other retailers, have to put in signs and/or floor stickers reminding people of the two metre distancing. Further measures include one-way systems for entry and exit, spacing car parks to leave gaps between vehicles, unaccompanied test drives, sanitiser stations and appointment systems to ensure not too many customers occupy the showroom at the same time.

The coronavirus lockdown has had a catastrophic effect on the UK car industry. May was a tough month, with registration figures down 89 per cent compared to the same month in 2019, with 163,477 fewer new sales.

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