Dealer group decides to close on Sundays for sake of staff wellbeing

Dealer group Burrows Motor Company will close on Sundays from this weekend to ensure sales staff have a proper day of rest.

It comes after the group, which holds Toyota, Mazda and Kia franchises across South Yorkshire into Nottinghamshire, had already implemented five-day working patterns to ensure sales staff get alternative weekends off, and closed its showrooms at 6pm.

Managing director Steve Burrows (pictured) informed customers this week that the business was tackling the old tradition of sales teams working long hours including weekends, and its plan was met with "an overwhelming positive reaction" by staff.

"Now, by choosing to close Sundays, we know our valued sales teams will enjoy even more quality time with their families," he said.

"I know many of you will agree that this shows my desire to continue to support the well-being of the dedicated and valued Burrows sales teams.”

He assured customers that online and phone enquiries will still be managed.

"We will continue to provide the best level of customer care our customers are used to from Burrows."

Several other franchised dealer groups close on Sundays but they are in the minority, as many carmakers now expect their franchisees to provide seven-day trading.

Mitchells in Cheshire has done so for years, as has AM100 dealer group Peter Vardy, whose chief executive Peter Vardy told AM in 2016 he aimed to build a world class business with staff who were rewarded for their hard work.

In March Burrows Toyota in Barnsley received its fifth 'Ichiban' award from the Japanese carmaker in recognition of its excellence in customer service.