Car showrooms opened their doors to the public on Monday for the first time since the March lockdown.

And Motors (Coalville) found there was plenty of demand from customers.

They finished the day with eight sales after 10 weeks when no-one had been able to come in and buy a new car.

Motors (Coalville) Managing Director Mark Dalby explained there had not been a complete shut down at the Hotel Street Ford garage which marks 100 years in the town in 2021.

But this has been the first week when the public and physically come in and buy a set of wheels.

Mr Dalby said: "This actually the fourth week we've been open in terms of online sales but the showroom was very busy on Monday and we sold eight cars.

"That was a reasonable day for a Monday, whether it's going to be busy for a few days then drop off, I don't know.

"It's been a slow change, we've been taking orders online as well.

"There seems to be a reasonable demand out there at moment. But I'm feeling quite optimistic."

But a visit to the showroom is not quite the same as it was with social distancing measures in place as the Government lockdown slowly eases.

Mr Dalby added: "It's been a bit strange having a one-way system operating and it's appointments only, but that's the new world we're living in isn't it.

"I've been wearing a mask, I've got gloves on, at every entrance and exit point we've got hand sanisters.

"All the cars we've got are locked whereas all the ones we had were unlocked and for obvious reasons we cannot do that now.

"We're trying to adapt to it in the best way possible.

"We've put a lot of work into it, we're all sitting behind screens, every member of staff gets their temperatures taken first thing in the morning and that's all we can do for now.

"But I think that's general now for anyone in retail."