Automatic car washes that are part of a petrol forecourt are to remain open throughout England's lockdown, the government has confirmed.
[caption id="attachment_26044" align="alignright" width="725"] Inside car inside an automated car wash (Getty)[/caption]
The news comes following a period of uncertainty, as seemingly conflicting advice had been given over the status of car washes as 'essential services'.
Brian Madderson, Chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) and Car Wash Association (CWA), said: “I am immensely pleased to announce that the Government confirmed with us that, in England, ‘car washes which are part of a petrol station would be able to remain open as there is no requirement for an ‘open business’ to close off parts of their business that are ‘closed’.
“This major success has come about as a result of intensive lobbying efforts on Government over the past three days by the PRA and CWA" he said. "While we are pleased with this outcome, the CWA will continue with its robust lobbying as Automated Car Washes (ACW) that are not connected to a petrol station have not yet been granted an exemption to remain open. We are working to ensure that these ACW are not discriminated against in this, and any potential further, lockdown”.
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These regulations only apply in England, and all car washes have been permitted to remain operational in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The PRA and CWA represent the 5,350 independent forecourt operators and specialist car wash companies across the UK. This covers 65% of the total fuel outlets.
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