Fix Auto shares government grant insights

Bodyshops that operate a retail service directly with the public could be entitled to receive up to £25,000 from a government small business fund, according to Fix Auto UK.

To help its franchisees during these testing times, the network challenged the system and has so far secured £360,000 from the Small Business Grant Fund for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure. It has also secured more than £500,000 in retail rate relief for the 2020/21 period.

Fix Auto UK director Ian Pugh explained: “If you serve as a retail operation then you are entitled to up to £25,000 depending on the rateable value of your operation. Initially, we were told vehicle repair centres do not fall into the relevant categories but we challenged the system and highlighted the retail arm of our operations. I’m delighted to say we have so far secured £360,000 in grant funding and over £500,000 in business rate relief to help numerous franchisee partners, with more pending.

“That is literally money in the bank to help their businesses. Rate reliefs provide a period for which business rates will not have to be paid and that, too, is the equivalent to having the money in the bank.

“It has been no easy task as there’s a certain amount of red tape to cut through, but we have helped guide our partners who have received funds to help their business and all I can do is urge any business that operates as retail to follow the link [to the government website] and explore the possibility.

“While we are working for our franchisee partners, if other repairers follow suit and plan well, they too could benefit. If just one business outside of Fix Auto UK follows this advice and is successful by securing any funding through these schemes and they manage to stay in business, I’ll be a happy man,” Pugh added.

The network’s senior management team has also been providing practical and financial advice by holding daily virtual support meetings for its repairers.

For the franchisee partners operating under the Fix Auto UK banner, they have reassurance of being united together, but Pugh said he is well aware that there are a great number of repairers that do not have the security of being part of a wider organisation.

“We are all in this together and we have to work as one, as an industry to get through this and that means sharing information and best practice where possible,” he said.

Bodyshops wishing to explore their options should visit the Small Business Grant Fund for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure website.