The Bodyshop Owners Fellowship has announced plans to create an independent, mandatory national licensing programme for bodyshops.

Co-founder of the breakaway lobby group, Peter Woodhouse, said the organisation is currently in discussion with other unnamed bodies to discuss the framework and administration of a new scheme which he insists should be viewed by bodyshops as “an opportunity, not an imposition”.

He says: "A mandatory licensing scheme, requiring bodyshops to meet an agreed national standard, would benefit the whole industry.

"Licensed bodyshops would have more confidence in their future, knowing they are likely to secure ongoing business,” he said.

Those bodyshops that fail to meet the agreed standards would be allowed to reapply for a licence when they feel they could meet the criteria, he says.