Eurorepar Car Service has given its backing to a campaign for greater support for the motor trade.
Since the MOT was extended during the first national lockdown in 2020, garages across the UK have reportedly seen a decline in footfall and turnover. Many in the trade now believe that if the Government does not act decisively with a package of financial support, garages will go out of business and jobs will be lost.
In a bid to apply some pressure and raise awareness of this escalating issue, a petition calling for a support package for 2022 and beyond has been started. In order for the Government to respond to the petition, the motor trade needs to achieve 10,000 signatures, with 100,000 required for the issue to be debated in Parliament.
A number of Eurorepar Car Service Centres have already signed the petition, and now the network is encouraging others in the trade to follow suit.
Nick Taylor, Head of Network & Business Development, said: “The motor trade has endured a tough period since the first lockdown last year. Many garages are struggling to make ends meet, and the effects of the MOT extension are still being felt. As a network, we are completely behind the sector’s push for financial support. I would urge garage owners, technicians and anyone else involved in the motor trade to sign the petition as soon as possible.”
Gavin Colclough, Service Manager at Euro Car Care, a member of the Eurorepar Car Service Network, added: “It is obvious that garage businesses are going to suffer a noticeable shortage of work during the spring and summer seasons as a result of the six-month MOT extension. With the furlough scheme ending in September, I am hugely concerned for the future of jobs and businesses across the sector unless there is some sort of financial support from the Government to act as a safeguard.
“I would therefore urge people to take a stand and sign this petition to help protect our jobs and livelihoods for the future. We need 10,000 signatures for the petition to even be considered so it is of paramount importance that no one is complacent.”
