Two of the UK’s biggest kitchen and bathroom franchise networks have confirmed that they are fully complying with the new government lockdown rules.
The 13 Ripples bathroom showrooms and 40 Kutchenhaus studios are now all closed.
On Wednesday (November 18) the industry was stunned by a sudden reversal in government guidance and kitchen and bathroom showrooms were ordered to close.
Kutchenhaus sales and operations manager Jake Colwill told kbbreview that all franchisees had been operating a by-appointment-only system since the second lockdown began on November 5.
“However since the new government guidance, we’ve advised them to revert back to virtual appointments only, and maybe offer a ‘click and collect’ style service if customers want door samples to finalise choices,” Colwill said.
At Ripples, managing director Paul Crow said all franchisees were backing the new rules.
“We are lights out, doors locked and focused on supporting installations,” he said. “New sales enquiries are being dealt with remotely or from the showroom but still remotely. All our franchisees are cooperating fully.”
Listen to KBSA chairman Richard Hibbert discuss the shock order to close in this special episode of The kbbreview Podcast. Listen using the player below or search ‘kbbreview’ in your podcast app of choice.