Dealer Sunday closing
PETER Vardy Ltd has just made the surprise announcement it is to CLOSE all its showrooms on Sundays.
The ‘keep Sunday special’ move is part of Vardy’s intention to become a top employer.
It’s something that’s already been trialed at Peter Vardy’s Vauxhall car dealer in Perth. This ceased opening on Sundays in October – and has since received the thumbs-up from more than 100 customers.
Thus, the following car dealers will be closed for business as from Sunday 10 January:
• BMW and MINI in Edinburgh
• Vauxhall and Chevrolet in Motherwell
• Vauxhall Kirkcaldy
• Vauxhall Perth
‘As a business,’ said chief executive Peter Vardy, ‘we have two key objectives: a commitment to delivering excellent customer service, and a passion to ensure our people are looked after and fully motivated in their working environment.
‘To get the right balance between these aims, I believe it is important that staff should have one day of the week which they can spend with their friends and families.
‘I believe that Sunday closures will help us strike this balance.’
Vardy now reckons he’ll be able to attract better quality staff as a consequence; it’s already been welcomed by Peter Vardy car dealer staff.
‘The UK is one of the few countries in Europe where Sunday openings have become the norm for many businesses,’ he revealed.
‘As a company which is passionate about being a good employer, we are keen to challenge this notion.’
What do you make of the surprise decision by Peter Vardy? Can you see YOUR car dealer following suit? Share your views here!
Tags: close, peter vardy, sunday
January 4th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
Special?
There isn’t anything special about Sunday other than it’s 50% of our weekend and its already difficult to shop on a Sunday due to ancient laws.
it’s a good way (excuse) to reduce working hours on quiet days without raising an alarm with investors.
January 7th, 2010 at 10:30 am
What’s wrong with giving people one day of the week which they can spend with their family? There has apparently been no reduction in working hours… so don’t be so cynical!! Well done Peter Vardy for showing some guts!
January 7th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Why now? Why didn’t they do this when they first opened? Obviously they would deny it’s a plot to cut costs but surely it can’t be anything else. And what are their staff likely to do with the Sundays? Shop more than likely. Doesn’t make sense
January 8th, 2010 at 10:43 am
Well done Peter. I hope many employers will follow.