This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52033260
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Coronavirus: Halfords has ‘essential role to play’ | Coronavirus: Halfords has ‘essential role to play’ |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Bicycle and car parts retailer Halfords has defended its decision to keep shops open amid the coronavirus pandemic. | Bicycle and car parts retailer Halfords has defended its decision to keep shops open amid the coronavirus pandemic. |
| Its autocentre garages and mobile vans remain open, with plans for "partial store coverage" across its 446 shops. | |
| Boss Graham Stapleton said the chain had "an essential role to play in keeping the country moving". | |
| Halfords drew criticism after it said it would keep some stores open after being named by the government as an "essential provider of services". | Halfords drew criticism after it said it would keep some stores open after being named by the government as an "essential provider of services". |
| #BoycottHalfords was trending on social media on Tuesday. Some Twitter users cited concerns over a lack of protection for on-site workers. | #BoycottHalfords was trending on social media on Tuesday. Some Twitter users cited concerns over a lack of protection for on-site workers. |
| 'Vital support' | 'Vital support' |
| In a trading update, the firm said: "We are committed to playing our part, but only if we can ensure the health and safety of our colleagues and customers." | In a trading update, the firm said: "We are committed to playing our part, but only if we can ensure the health and safety of our colleagues and customers." |
| It also said it had the "legal flexibility to remain open across the entire business". | It also said it had the "legal flexibility to remain open across the entire business". |
| Mr Stapleton added that the chain had a part to play "in providing vital support to emergency workers, fleet operations and the general population as they travel for essential supplies". | Mr Stapleton added that the chain had a part to play "in providing vital support to emergency workers, fleet operations and the general population as they travel for essential supplies". |
| It will also continue to take orders online via home delivery services and click-and-collect once branches have reopened. | It will also continue to take orders online via home delivery services and click-and-collect once branches have reopened. |
| Halfords added said it was offering all NHS frontline workers a free 10-point car check during the coronavirus pandemic. | Halfords added said it was offering all NHS frontline workers a free 10-point car check during the coronavirus pandemic. |
| Other bicycle firms such as Brompton Bicycle, a folding bike specialist, have lent bicycles to staff at hospitals in London to help them get to and from work. | Other bicycle firms such as Brompton Bicycle, a folding bike specialist, have lent bicycles to staff at hospitals in London to help them get to and from work. |
| Essential retailers | Essential retailers |
| After strict new restrictions were brought in by government earlier this week, it issued a list of “essential retailers”, such as Halfords, that are allowed to stay open. They include: | After strict new restrictions were brought in by government earlier this week, it issued a list of “essential retailers”, such as Halfords, that are allowed to stay open. They include: |
| Dusting old bikes off | Dusting old bikes off |
| Trade industry bodies had previously said that bicycle retailers and repair shops had seen a spike in demand as people "clean the cobwebs off" their old bikes in an attempt to avoid public transport during the pandemic. | Trade industry bodies had previously said that bicycle retailers and repair shops had seen a spike in demand as people "clean the cobwebs off" their old bikes in an attempt to avoid public transport during the pandemic. |
| Jonathan Harrison of the Association of Cycle Traders told the BBC that "there had been an uplift in sales across the board, with larger retailers also reporting more 'entry-level' bikes going." | Jonathan Harrison of the Association of Cycle Traders told the BBC that "there had been an uplift in sales across the board, with larger retailers also reporting more 'entry-level' bikes going." |
| However, he pointed out that with more consumers staying in due to the new government restrictions, "it's difficult to know whether or not that trend will continue." | However, he pointed out that with more consumers staying in due to the new government restrictions, "it's difficult to know whether or not that trend will continue." |
| Halfords said on Wednesday that it expected sales to fall by about 25% in the new financial year, due to the impact of the coronavirus. | |
| For its stores and garages that will close during the outbreak, the firm also said it would tap into the support offered by government to pay 80% of salary for staff who are kept on, covering wages of up to £2,500 a month. | For its stores and garages that will close during the outbreak, the firm also said it would tap into the support offered by government to pay 80% of salary for staff who are kept on, covering wages of up to £2,500 a month. |