22/05/2020

TRADE ASSOCIATION PR

A trade body has welcomed the phased route map approach announced by the Scottish Government to ease lockdown restrictions.

According to the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF), the plans set out by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon yesterday (21 May) will enable its members to gear-up to meet demand when construction works are reintroduced.

BMF members operate from 420 branches and 26 manufacturing sites across Scotland.

John Newcomb, chief executive of the BMF, said: “The phased approach set out by the First Minister will enable our members to schedule their activities accordingly.

“They will be able to plan ahead and meet the demands for building products and materials, once the construction industry returns to work in the future.”

Ninety per cent of BMF merchant members are currently open or partially open, to support essential works, with restrictions in place to ensure safety first.

Mr Newcomb added: “We have already produced new Branch Operating Guidelines for builders’ merchant staff to follow in the office and trade counter, for customer and supplier deliveries, customer collection and for tool hire during the Covid-19 outbreak.

“This 18-page document covers procedures for phone, click/call and collect and pre-arranged orders, with no public access into shop or products.

“The number one priority is to minimise the risk of transmitting coronavirus.”

The BMF is a member of Scotland’s Construction Industry Coronavirus Forum (CICV), which is in regular contract with industry colleagues and the Scottish Government.