COVID-19 Update: For the Road Ahead

Added: 28 May 2020

I am delighted to announce that, in line with government guidance, Simon Bailes Peugeot will reopen our showrooms from Monday, June 1.

As a result, the company is preparing to unfurlough members of its sales team to ensure you receive the highest standard of customer service.

While the showrooms have been closed since March, our aftersales and servicing departments have continued to operate to support vehicle servicing and maintenance. This required the introduction of a range of stringent safety measures to protect the health of both customers and staff. These procedures will now be extended to showrooms.

To reinforce these measures, Simon Bailes Peugeot is investing in a vehicle sanitising machine expressly devised for the automotive industry, which removes all viruses, bacteria, and fine dust particles.

Despite the temporary showroom closure, we have experienced an increase in the number of online and telephone enquiries for new and used vehicles. Customers can continue to use our innovative website to select, reserve, and finance their new car easily and conveniently, using a laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

We can also provide an online valuation on any part-exchange as well as arrange free ‘contactless’ local home delivery of your new vehicle.  Alternatively, you can opt for our click and collect service, which is carried out in line with strict safety protocols.

Currently, customers visiting our dealerships are asked to observe social distancing guidelines, while transparent protective screens have been fitted to customer service desks and staff regularly use hand sanitiser.

Those collecting vehicle parts are also asked to observe two-metre social distancing, with trays and tables used to ensure contactless exchange of goods. In addition, our staff wear protective gloves and regularly wash their hands.

All technicians within the servicing department wear PPE and use disposable seat covers, steering wheel and gear lever covers, and floor mats. Vehicles are cleaned and sanitised before and after work is carried out.

Simon Bailes Peugeot is rooted in the community and as such our dealerships in Northallerton, Stockton and Guisborough, have continued to support our NHS and those providing frontline medical services.

Examples of our practical support include:

• Donating 20,000 disposable car seat covers to medical staff across the Tees Valley and North Yorkshire, including community midwives and district nurses, to help reduce the risk of infection as they are called upon to make an increasing number of home visits

• We have offered local pharmacies the free use of our demonstrator vehicles to help with the delivery of medicines and prescriptions to those classed at risk and unable to leave their homes

• Peugeot’s parent company PSA Group has extended the scope of its Breakdown Assistance to all NHS staff driving a Peugeot, Citroen, or DS to ensure they remain on the road during this critical period

These efforts were acknowledged in a letter sent by the chancellor and Richmond MP, Rishi Sunak, who kindly described our “substantial contributions” in the support of the NHS and health care sector as “exemplary”.

I can assure you that Simon Bailes Peugeot will continue to act in a responsible and safe manner, and I and my team are very much looking forward to welcoming you back to our showrooms.

Any customers with queries can email us at enquiries@simonbailes.co.uk.

With very best wishes

Simon Bailes