Service Dealer convened the first in a series of video conference calls this week, with a selection of dealers from around the UK, to hear what their experiences had been during the current outbreak.

Taking place on the morning of Wednesday April 8th 2020, the virtual meeting welcomed senior leadership of trade associations the AEA and BAGMA, including their President, and representatives of the following dealerships:

• Arwells Agri Services
• Ernest Doe
• GGM Groundcare
• Hayes Garden Machinery
• Hunt Forest
• MKM Agriculture
• Ripon Farm Services
• Selby Garden Machinery
• Strathbogie Forest & Garden
• T H White
• Winchester Garden Machinery

You can read a summation of discussion in the editor's blog today, which covered areas such as dealing with customers, staff well-being, financial concerns and support from manufacturers.

Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke, who chaired the meeting, said afterwards, "We'd like to very much thank all the dealers who took the time to join our meeting this week. We appreciate their openness and willing to share their range of experiences for the benefit of all.

"One thing which was clear from the meeting, was that the only groundcare dealers doing well at the moment were the online retailers.

"When this is all over, if all that is left are the online companes, then the industry has a big problem. We have to work together to protect servicing dealers."

Service Dealer intends to convene dealer Zoom meetings of this type on an ongoing, regular basis.