With the BMF having received clarification that merchant businesses can remain open, the onus has remained on individual firms to set out their own operating procedures. Some are currently remaining fully open (whilst deploying public health guidelines), others are offering restricted services such as offering deliveries only or ‘essential or emergency’ supplies. An increasing number are now electing to temporarily close down. As an indicative guide to the sector’s activity, PBM considers the responses from the merchant companies that made up our Top 20 league table earlier this year, and other leading operations.
Please note that the details and decisions regarding the current coronavirus situation are constantly changing. As such, we will endeavour to update this information as consistently as we can, but please always refer to the latest information direct from the individual business.
Merchant firms are listed per their order in PBM’s most recent Top 20 league table. Comments can relate to the full operational group, or to the particular merchant brands.
1: Travis Perkins plc
Open for emergency repair work only
‘To support our country’s essential services, we’re running deliveries from selected branches. These branches are NOT open for collections or customers. Deliveries will be made for emergency repair & maintenance works & for critical infrastructure.’
Click here to read the full comment. (25/03/2020)
2: Saint-Gobain Building Distribution
3: Grafton – Buildbase, Selco
Closed
‘We have taken a decision to close all our distribution branches and manufacturing plants in the UK for the next three weeks subject to receiving clarification from Government on the supply of materials through a small number of branches to support essential repair and maintenance activity.’
Click here to read the full comment. (24/03/2020)
4: Wolseley UK
Partially open – limited colections, delivery service but some closures
‘We continue to make further adjustments to our operations so that we can support our customers at this time for essential break-fix, infrastructure and maintenance in hospitals, nursing homes, supermarkets, schools, homes and utilities, all critical to the operational stability and wellbeing of the UK.
‘Trade counter doors will be closed; however pre-orders can be collected from the safest point on the site. Please refer to specific instructions at your local branch to inform us of your arrival, and the location of the temporary collection point which enables maximum social distancing. We request that you call ahead to confirm collection time. Please ensure strict adherence to social distancing rules.We have temporarily closed a number of branches and these are detailed below.’
Click here to read the full comment. (28/03/2020)
5: MKM
Operations to be suspended at all branches
‘As the Coronavirus outbreak escalates, MKM Building Supplies Ltd has taken the difficult decision to suspend operations at all 73 branches from Friday 27 March across the UK until further notice, with outstanding deliveries being completed by Tuesday 31 March.
‘Selected branches will continue to support the national effort by running deliveries for essential services including the NHS, but will not be open for collections or for customers to visit.
‘Over the past weeks, MKM has implemented widespread changes to protect staff and customers at all branches, but despite best efforts to operate within Public Health England’s guidelines, it is evident that trading safely will become increasingly difficult.’
Click here to read the full comment. (28/03/2020)
6: Plumbing & Heating Investments Limited (PHIL) – Plumbase
Open
‘Plumbase remains open to serve our valued customers who are still required to carry out essential repairs and maintenance. However, we ask everyone who visits our branches or receives a delivery from us to work together to ensure all measures are followed to keep everyone safe.’
Click here to read the full comment. (26/03/2020)
7: Huws Gray (+ Ridgeons)
Closed
‘Our decision to close down all branch operations was made late on Monday evening following Boris Johnson’s televised statement. It was the most difficult decision that we have had to make in our 30 year existence. It was also the right one and remains so.’
Click here to read the full comment. (25/03/2020)
8: National Timber Group (Arnold Laver +)
Limited delivery service
‘We intend to close all our sites for collections and offer a limited delivery service to customers. Through this ‘Phone and Deliver’ model we will be prioritising those customers that are engaged with important and critical operations that help support the communities where we are based.’
Click here to read the full comment. (25/03/2020)
9: Independent Builders Merchant Group (Parker Building Supplies, Chandlers Building Supplies, Stamco, Fairalls)
Limited delivery service
‘We are now operating a Critical Business Support Service Only. This means we will take orders and carry out deliveries for any customer who is working to support anyone in what has been determined a critical trade business or service.’
Click here to read the full comment. (27/03/2020)
10: Bradfords
Delivery only
‘Going forward, we will continue to offer delivery services as usual. Please phone through to our branches or order online. We are developing how we operate collection from branch and full details will be communicated to you via your local branch staff.’
Click here to read the full comment. (26/03/2020)
11: EH Smith
Trade delivery only
‘We have adapted our operational services by closing for customer collections and concentrating on supplying essential trade enquiries.’
Click here to read the full comment. (26/03/2020)
12: Haldane Shiells Group
Limited service
‘We have decided to temporarily close Haldane Fisher in N.I whilst maintaining essential services and emergency support to those areas most in need. G E Robinson and Haldane Fisher England will operate with reduced manning offering a limited-service also.’
Click here to read the full comment. (27/03/2020)
13: Builder Depot
Delivery only
‘We will no longer be accepting customers on-site in order to comply with social distancing regulations. We will still be accepting orders in the following ways:
- Orders for delivery
- Pre-ordered goods for collection – When goods are ready for collection the branch will contact you with a collection number
- Online orders’
Click here to read the full comment. (27/03/2020)
14: Howarth Timber & Building Supplies
Closed
‘Having had the time to reflect on the situation we now feel that the social distancing challenges are so difficult that the right course of action is to prioritise the welfare of our colleagues and their families over all other considerations and therefore we are closing the business from 12 noon on Saturday 28th March until further notice.’
Click here to read the full comment. (27/03/2020)
15: Lawsons
Open – deliveries only
‘All Lawsons & Crowthorne stores will be closed for collected trade. However our sales lines and online ordering functions are still open for delivered orders only.’
Click here to read the full comment. (28/03/2020)
16: JT Atkinson
Open – in store only
‘The safety and welfare of our customers and JTA colleagues is paramount, and we would like to reassure our customers that we are closely following the guidance set by Public Health England and our Government with regards to the current COVID-19 outbreak.’
Click here to read the full comment. (27/03/2020)
17: Williams & Co
Limited service
‘Most of you will have seen the Prime Minister’s broadcast asking us all to take extra steps to prevent the spread of Coronavirus and therefore save lives.
This requires sacrifices by everyone, including us. Williams & Co will therefore be making drastic restrictions to services effective immediately.’
Click here for an updated comment detailing the branch-by-branch measures. (30/03/2020)
18: James Hargreaves
Open
19: Grant & Stone
Limited service
‘We have moved to our Critical Business Support Only team, operating to support critical trade business and construction. With many of our customers working in essential industries, we are remaining open to ensure they are supplied with essential products.’
Click here to read the full comment. (23/03/2020)
20: Covers
Closed
‘Following the Prime Ministers announcement on Monday 23rd March Covers have decided to close. We will remain closed to protect the well being of our customers, staff and the local communities we serve.’
Click here to read the full comment. (24/03/2020)
Other leading merchants are doing the following:
Lords Builders Merchants –
Closed
‘The health and wellbeing of our colleagues, customers and suppliers remains our utmost priority and as such we have decided we must support the UK’s efforts to limit the continued spread of the Coronavirus by suspending trading.’
Click here for the full statement (26/3/2020)
Sydenhams –
Closed
Click here for the full statement (25/3/2020)
Elliotts –
Closed
‘As of 5pm on Friday 27 March, we’re closing temporarily. While we could continue to trade as we are deemed an “essential” service by the government, we feel this is the right decision. It’s now time for us to stay home and help fight against COVID-19.’
Click here for the full statement (27/3/2020)
LBS Builders Merchsants –
Currently closed
Click here for the full statement (25/3/2020)
Frank Key Group –
Trading suspended
‘Frank Key Group announces that its network of five building supplies branches and 15 plant and tool hire branches will suspend trading until further notice, in an attempt to help control the spread of COVID-19.’
Bence –
Open, with restrictions
‘We have received confirmation that we are NOT on the list of businesses that have been asked to close. We will therefore remain OPEN until further notice. Extra measures to safeguard our staff and clients will be implemented. If visiting please follow the government advice.’
County Building Supplies
Varying measures by branch
See here for more details
NYEs Building Supplies
Local deliveries only
See here for more details (26/3/2020)
Once again, we must stress this isn’t a definitive list and subject to changes. Please refer to the individual merchant businesses for more detailed information.
Source: Info taken from information received and updates about COVID-19 posted on merchant social media feeds and websites.
