Keeping COVID restriction measures shows the company cares and puts health and safety before sales, said owner of independent retailer Coalville Kitchens.

Speaking exclusively to Kitchens & Bathrooms News, as part of its video interview series #KBNOne2One, owner Luke Wedgbury said the company was staying appointment only, encouraging use of hand sanitiser and will wear masks if preferred by clients.

He commented: “I think it shows we put the health and safety of our staff and our clients before any sales and that’s really important.

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“I think that sets the start of a buying process  off on a really good foot; that you’re with a company that cares.”

Since the COVID restrictions were lifted on July 19, Wedgbury said the company hasn’t had a surge of customers but what the staff has noticed is clients are more relaxed in the Leicestershire-based showroom.

In fact, Coalville Kitchens plans to stay appointment only, indefinitely, as Wedgbury recognised with a reduction in passing footfall, the showroom didn’t have to stay open for walk-ins.

And it has offered a “real positive” for the company, as Wedgbury said the output of his designers had increased as they could concentrate on projects and scheduled appointments.

Speaking about when he expected to lift COVID precautionary measures in his showroom, Wedgbury said: “I think it will be a case of how relaxed people feel, in general.

“When the time feels right to remove the restrictions, we’ll make a decision then. But, even saying that now, it’s not detrimental to the business.”

The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) urged the kbb industry to approach the relaxation rules of COVID restriction rules with “extreme caution”.

In fact, Wedgbury is making plans to expand his business, increasing its existing three teams of installers to four by January or February next year.

He added: “It’s a nice little milestone to have on the horizon to try and aim for. It’s certainly a part of the expansion plan.”

“The market is buoyant. I expect the end of this year to be good. I expect the first half of next year to be good as well.”