New research into the impact of the coronavirus lockdown on the plumbing and heating sector suggests that plumbers and heating engineers have been operating at just one-eighth of their usual capacity during the first few weeks of lockdown. This represents, in turnover terms for the sector, a loss of £47m for every weekday. About 47,000 plumbing and heating businesses have not been operating at all during lockdown thus far.

The figures come from Eureka! Research who have been  gathering the views of small business owners and sole traders in the industry.

Despite having an official mandate to provide emergency services to householders, just 4 in 10 are currently responding generally to emergency call-outs, while one-third of tradespeople are only offering this service to customers they have previously worked with before.

Although nearly 75% of businesses in this sector intend to use the Government’s Furlough (CJRS) or Self Employment Support Scheme, around half of the sector feel the financial measures do not go far enough.

Eureka! estimate that around 19,000 businesses are potentially due to ‘fall between the cracks’ and will not benefit under current aid measures at all.

Some other key findings from the research:

  • The majority of businesses are most worried about immediate sources of cashflow and being able to pay themselves and staff in the short term.  Larger businesses, in particular, are worried about being paid for work already completed and this could act as a barrier when restrictions are eased.
  • Two-thirds of operating businesses are concerned about getting hold of the materials and product they need for jobs.
  • Many tradespeople still prefer to pick up their materials from the merchant, putting pressure on these distributors to ‘up their game’ and introduce appropriate adjustments within latest public health guidance.  Only 1 in 7 told us that they were getting more products delivered straight to site.
  • Despite putting strong measures in place, the risk of infection is a source of natural concern. 3 in 10 business owners cite potential exposure to COVID-19 already and larger businesses in particular are having to deal with staff absenteeism and the associated risks.
  • Businesses are utilising a wide range of information sources to keep abreast of COVID-19 developments and to guide them on how and whether to operate.  Endorsement for the quality of this information is lukewarm so far – businesses would appreciate more coherent and consistent information relevant to them.
  • Despite the economic climate being fairly optimistic going into this crisis, 4 in 10  P&H  businesses are very nervous about business conditions in 6-12 months, particularly sole traders and small businesses.

Dave Ruston, director at Eureka! Research observes: “The trade have certainly responded to our call to action, we believe this may be the largest consultation ever conducted across this industry in the UK. It provides a solid platform for those with a vested interest in the future of the sector to lobby for the support it so clearly needs and deserves.”

Download the full report here LINK -> www.eurekaresearch.co.uk/covid19report