Vertu Motors

Bristol Street Motors Burton Citroen is improving its inclusivity with an innovative service for hearing-impaired customers.

The dealership, on Wellington Road has partnered with online interpreting service SignLive to install video equipment, allowing customers to interact with staff using British Sign Language.

SignLive directly links those who need to use sign language to an interpreter by video on a tablet or computer. They in turn translate and tell the sales or service team what the customer is saying, and vice-versa.

There are approximately 11 million people in the UK with some form of hearing loss, and more than 150,000 British Sign Language (BSL) users. The SignLive service will ensure that people with hearing loss are not excluded from making the most of the car buying and servicing process, ensuring they get the best deal possible and are fully informed of their decisions.

James Roebuck, general manager at Bristol Street Motors Burton Citroen, said: “Our BSL translation service is a fantastic innovation and will ensure that we are able to offer all of our customers the full Bristol Street Motors experience.

“It’s a really simple piece of technology, and because you’re dealing with a person at the other end of the video call, they are able to ensure that all of the nuances of the conversation come across. This is something which I think can be lost when using a computer or artificial intelligence to translate.”

ENDS

NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF VERTU MOTORS

CONTACT: Caroline Walker on 01325 363436

Notes to Editors

Vertu Motors is the fifth largest automotive retailer in the UK with a network of 154 sales outlets across the UK. Its dealerships operate predominantly under the Bristol Street Motors, Vertu and Macklin Motors brand names.

Vertu Motors was established in November 2006 with the strategy to consolidate the UK motor retail sector. It is intended that the Group will continue to acquire motor retail operations to grow a scaled dealership group. The Group’s acquisition strategy is supplemented by a focused organic growth strategy to drive operational efficiencies through its national dealership network. The Group currently operates 150 franchised sales outlets and 4 non-franchised sales operations from 116 locations across the UK.

Vertu’s Mission Statement is to “deliver an outstanding customer motoring experience through honesty and trust”.

Vertu Motors Group websites – www.investors.vertumotors.com /www.vertucareers.com

Vertu brand websites – www.vertumotors.com / www.bristolstreet.co.uk /www.macklinmotors.co.uk