Car showrooms on St James Retail Park, Knaresborough have opened hoping for customers to return.
One-way systems, heat cameras to record customers’ temperatures and sanitising kits are just a few of the ways car showrooms in the Harrogate district are ensuring customer safety.
The Toyota showroom in Knaresborough are scheduling customers on an appointment-only basis. They are using clear floor markings and a one-way system to comply with social distancing.
Steve Rowbothan, the Centre Principal for the showroom, said:
“We sanitise any cars before we get in them, and then following the service we re-sanitise thoroughly to ensure a contactless transaction. Our priority is safety and to make sure the customers feel safe when they’re here with us.”
A heat camera will check customers’ temperatures
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Another Knaresborough dealership, Redline Specialist cars, opened their doors for the public using a heat detection camera.
The camera can monitor the customers’ temperature as they stand in front of it. The screen will flash green if the person has a safe temperature but if it is above 38 degrees it will turn red.
It’s been a very tough few months for the car industry. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reported a 99.9% decline in the production of engines for domestic markets in April compared with the previous year.
John Graeme, one of the directors, though, is optimistic:
“I think this will be a really positive year for the used car industry, due to the demand. I think we’ll be one of the lucky sectors. We have been planning for this day for six weeks in order to follow all the guidelines as you’ve still got to make sure the customer is comfortable.