Following the announcement by the Prime Minister on Monday night, we have taken the precautionary measure to temporarily suspend from Wednesday 25th at 5 pm normal business activities until further notice at all of our locations throughout the Southwest.
We are working closely and swiftly with all our colleagues, customers and suppliers to carefully cease all production and processing. All colleagues have been given the option to stay at home with immediate effect if they so wish. We appreciate the strength of comments by some in the fact we are not immediately closing, but as classified by the Government, our business type is not currently being enforced to do so, however we genuinely recognise the need to voluntarily act.
*Some other types of non-food retailers are also allowed to stay open, according to government guidance:
- Pharmacies
- Petrol stations
- Bicycle shops
- Home and Hardware shops
- Car rentals
- Pet shops
- Corner shops and newsagents
- Post offices
- Banks
We are conscientiously trying to fulfil our obligations to our many stakeholders, with outstanding orders needing to be completed to enable properties, sites and customers’ homes secure which may otherwise be left un-secure and residents potentially vulnerable.
Please do be assured we are genuinely acting with care and consideration, as we wind down our business at all sites, whilst trying to faithfully interpret and closely follow the latest Government guidance.
During these most challenging and unprecedented times we send all of our colleagues, customers, friends and competitors our warmest wishes.
*Source BBC News Explains 24/03/2020