FIX AUTO UK’S LETTER OF INTENT!

Bodyshops struggling to apply for the Government’s Small Business Grant for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure can freely use a letter Fix Auto UK has produced to successfully help its franchisee partners.

Drafted by the organisations’ management team in conjunction with its franchisee partners, the letter template, which is easily adaptable to personalise, is available by emailing covidgrantsupport@fixauto.co.uk.

The letter has been integral to the networks ongoing success in securing more than £1.5 million in government support for its franchisee partners. In addition, the support and guidance has helped numerous repairers outside of the network since Fix Auto UK went public with its approach to securing financial aid for its repair centres two weeks ago.

Ian Pugh, Fix Auto UK’s Managing Director, offered the letter template during his appearance on yesterday’s ARC360 webinar, staged in association with I Love Claims. He also reiterated the network’s experience that businesses which successfully secure the Small Business Grant for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure are also able to apply for additional retail rate relief for the entire sum of their payable rates for the business period 2020/21.

Ian explained: “Retail businesses are entitled to up to £25,000 of grant funding, depending on the rateable value of their operation. Initially, we were told that our repair centres did not fall into the relevant categories, but we challenged the system because accident repair, in our view, is a retail operation when we’re dealing directly with the public. We have so far secured £700,000 in grants and more than £800,000 in business rate reliefs for our franchisee partners, with more pending. I am also delighted to say, numerous other businesses outside of our network who reached out for our help and have been successful too!

“We have formulated a relatively simple, but effective, letter template to help our franchisee partners. As I said two weeks ago, if we are going to survive COVID-19 as an industry then we need to work together, pool our resources and share our ideas and best practice so we’re making it available for all.”

“The financial success we have achieved for our franchisee partners is literally money in the bank to help their businesses. While rate reliefs provide a 12 month period for which business rates will not have to be paid, that too is the equivalent to having the money in the bank which is key for any business survival.”

Repairers wishing to explore the Small Business Grant Fund for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure should visit https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk .

Notes to Editors:

• Fix Auto UK is part of a global franchised network of more than 745 bodyshops.
• Fix Auto UK carries out more than 150,000 body repairs per year for leading motor insurance companies, fleets, and retail customers.
• Fix Auto UK, Lyndale House, Harcourt Way, Meridian Business Park, Leicester, LE19 1WL. Tel: 0116 3265401.

Please Note:
For further information please contact Mark Richards on 07774 861596.
Email: mrichards@fixauto.co.uk