Inverness firm says used car sales have been busy throughout coronavirus pandemic

An Inverness car sales firm has revealed how it reacted to the coronavirus pandemic.

Donald Mackenzie Limited stated in a strategic report accompanying its accounts for the year ended January 31, 2020: “None of us anticipated the effects of a pandemic and, like many others, we were closed for several weeks.

“Over the weeks, we have gradually built up activity. Used car sales have been busy resulting in stock shortages, we have reduced our new car stock and outstanding creditors, workshops/parts are busy and the bodyshop is gradually building up.”

The firm used the furlough scheme and it has employed more mechanics.

Turnover increased from £11,688,590 in 2018/19 to £11,871,863 in 2019/20. For the same period, pre-tax profit dropped from £189,777 to £166,408.

The average number of employees stayed at 59, while staff costs increased from £1,739,441 to £1,773,257.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.