Comma conducts snap survey of workshops

As the UK enters its second week of the Coronavirus restrictions on movement and social distancing, in a poll undertaken for leading aftermarket lubricant brand, Comma, workshops revealed how they’re feeling and coping in the current situation.

The survey of workshops from across the UK found that 75 per cent of workshops were open (Friday 27 March) and more than half (56 per cent) expected to still be open ‘in a fortnight’s time.’ Unexpectedly, workshops registered a range of concerns regarding level of trade, hygiene and safety; perhaps somewhat surprising however is that the biggest area of concern is for the availability of parts, with 89 per cent of workshops either ‘concerned’ or ‘very concerned’ about their ability to source parts.

Whilst broadly speaking workshops are reassured by the business support announcements and programmes put in place by Government, many are concerned or unsure about how they will access this support. Only 4 per cent of workshops report having been contacted by their bank and only 1 in 5 workshops feels confident that they’ll get the support they need from their bank, during this period.

Other findings from the survey reveal that workshops are keen to play their part in supporting their local communities, by remaining open for business and keeping motorists’ vehicles safe and roadworthy – and in particular, for key workers, at this critical time. Workshops are also being innovative, finding different working practices including job sharing, contactless drop off and collections as well as implementing a wide range of hygiene and social distancing measures that follow Government guidelines.