A VEHICLE hire company in Kidlington is one of a number in Oxfordshire helping to keep people and supplies moving during the coronavirus crisis.

TVR Self Drive, located on Station Field industrial estate, is still open in accordance with government guidelines.

It is one of a number of small and independent local businesses being backed by the Oxford Mail as part of the #StillopeninOxfordshire campaign.

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This is urging shoppers and other customers to give these businesses as much support as possible during the coronavirus lockdown imposed by the government.

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The lockdown has made it difficult for many companies to fully operate although many are doing everything they can to keep serving their customers.

TVR Self Drive supports local people with essential transport requirements, including cars, vans, multi-purpose vehicles and Luton body vehicles.

Company spokesman Jon Collins said: “We are an independent family-run business that has been operating in the Thames Valley since 1985 - we rent cars, people carriers, minibuses, vans and small removal trucks.

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"We are operating normal business hours in accordance with government guidelines and we are offering 50 per cent of all vehicle hire for the next 12 weeks to all NHS and emergency services.

“In addition to this we have given a van to Oxford Mutual Aid to help the community."

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According to the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association, vehicle rental services are exempt from having to fully close due to coronavirus restrictions.

It said the Cabinet Office has confirmed that car, van, minibus and truck rental are all exempt where members are working with essential workers, goods and services.

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Social distancing measures have been introduced and members should be mindful of protecting staff and customers so all government advice must be followed, including keeping a safe distance of being at least two metres away from others.

Established in 1967, the BVRLA is the UK trade body for companies engaged in vehicle rental, leasing and fleet management.

BVRLA members are responsible for a combined fleet of over five million cars, vans and trucks on UK roads, that’s one-in-eight cars, one-in-five vans and one-in-four trucks.

The vehicle rental and leasing industry supports over 465,000 jobs, adds £7.6bn in tax revenues and contributes £49bn to the UK economy each year.

On behalf of its 1,000 member organisations, the BVRLA works with governments, public sector agencies, industry associations and key business influencers across a wide range of road transport, environmental, taxation, technology and finance-related issues.

Other vehicle companies are also performing a vital service during the lockdown.

thisisoxfordshire:

Oxford’s 001 Taxis has launched a contact-free delivery service covering grocery shopping, medicines, takeaway and other vital items.

The initiative is thought to be the among the first in the UK during the coronavirus lockdown to allow booking via an app and the firm is being backed by the Oxford Mail’s #StillopeninOxfordshire campaign.

Senior manager Aaron Singh said earlier: “We have acted quickly to ensure we can continue to support the Oxford community in all ways possible.”