MORE Swindon businesses have got in touch to share the ways they are supporting people during the coronavirus pandemic.

As part of the Adver’s pledge to be #therewithyou at this difficult time, we asked businesses around the town to tell us about what they are doing to continue serving their customers and protect their employees.

For example, Hyundai and Suzuki dealership Pebley Beach has started a Doorstep Advantage scheme for ill, vulnerable or self-isolating customers.

Drivers who need to get their car to or from the dealership for a service, MOT, or regular maintenance appointment can now have their vehicle collected from and delivered back to their home by a member of the Pebley Beach team.

The service comes with a surcharge of £10, all of which will be donated to a local foodbank. Staff are offering to pick up essential supplies from a local supermarket while delivering the car back to the customer’s home.

Vehicles that pass through the workshop are being sterilised on arrival and before departure as an extra precaution taken to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.

Managing director Dominic Threlfall said: “We’ve been receiving calls from customers worried that they might not be able to get their car to us for a service, MoT, or routine maintenance. At the same time, we’re having to look at our own staffing situation. Employees who can work from home are being encouraged to do so.

"While we’re putting measures in place to ensure the showroom and workshop operate as normal there’s obviously a chance that our workflow might be affected by staff absences.

“This is a challenging situation, but one we’ll all get through by supporting each other. As always, we want to do our best for our customers and our local community.”

Plus, Fish Brothers Skoda is open for essential maintenance work for the NHS and essential workers, with the necessary distancing and disinfecting measures in place. Call 01793 758100 to speak to make an appointment.

In addition, family-run window and door company TWC Home Improvements is offering virtual sales appointments over the internet. This allows the sales team to discuss customers' home improvement plans without them going to the showroom

Customers will be able to access the software via a simple link, allowing them to interact remotely with the sales team via their computer, tablet or smart phone.

For those that would still prefer face-to-face appointments, all sales staff will be provided with FFP3 Face Masks, which comply with World Health Organisation guidelines. Staff will be required to take their temperature twice daily using a company-provided digital thermometer and will submit these readings to head office to ensure they are symptom free.

The company is in the process of obtaining disposable COVID-19 testing kits for its staff.

Managing director Andy Hill said: “The safety of our customers and staff is always our number one priority. In these truly unprecedented times, we have committed to doing as much as possible to limit anxiety and have put extensive measures in place to keep everyone associated with TWC both happy and healthy.

“These measures have allowed us to remain open as normal, and we will continue to do so until instructed otherwise. We are confident that, with the plan we have put in place, we can continue to offer customers an exceptional level of service and, crucially, keep them safe in the process.”