Bensons for Beds is increasing the capacity of its virtual appointments service after it closed all its stores in line with the latest lockdown regulations. The nationwide bed retailer has extended its 30-minute sleep consultation via video call, which had already been available in Scotland, Wales and selected parts of England.
While Bensons has closed the 39 locations it had open in Tier 2 and 3 areas, complying with the new lockdown rules in place across England, it has written to the three governments offering up all its stores in England, Scotland and Wales as vaccination centres.
Production will continue at Bensons’ dedicated manufacturing facility in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, subject to a stringent health and safety regime, while deliveries to customers will be maintained under strict guidelines.
While Bensons is classified as a 'non-essential' retailer, Bensons believes a good night’s sleep is anything but non-essential. Its new virtual appointment service enables customers to take advantage of personal consultations and a 20% January sale offer on beds, mattresses and bedroom furniture.
Bensons' COO Joe Wykes says that while the current situation is challenging, Bensons is open for business online, and will maintain manufacturing despite the upstream disruption on its suppliers for raw materials such as foam, fabric and springs.
“While these are difficult circumstances for so-called non-essential retailers, we’re working hard to maintain our operations for customers who need us," he says. “But while we’re disappointed to close all our stores once more, we think they could be put to good use. That’s why we’ve asked the Government to consider local Bensons stores as vaccination centres should the need arise.
“And while we understand the disruption to people’s lives, there’s significant medical evidence that the efficacy of vaccines is greatly enhanced when people are sleeping well - we would also encourage people to consider making good sleeping habits one of their new year resolutions. Sleep is an essential service and vital to the health of the nation.”
