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(Alliance News) - House builder Taylor Wimpey PLC on Wednesday said it will be reopening its show homes and sales centres for pre-booked appointments on Friday next week.
The company noted that, since resuming site activities, it has seen "increased sales activity and customer interest" with housing market conditions stable.
So far during the lockdown period, Taylor Wimpey has sold 48 homes net of cancellations and has averaged a net private sales rate of 0.30 homes per outlet per week. Cancellation rates have averaged 27% during lockdown, just 2.5% of its private order book.
As at the week ending May 10, its total order book came to 11,033 homes compared to 10,489 homes the year prior. The order book value had increased year-on-year to GBP2.7 billion from GP2.5 billion.
Following the UK government's announcement on "re-starting the housing market", Taylor Wimpey said it is now able to set out its "detailed plans for a return to site sales activity" and extend its customer service provision.
This includes an extended warranty for Taylor Wimpey customers during lockdown as well as "enhanced support". A new discount scheme has also been put in place for car workers.
The firm will open its show homes and sales centres back up for previously booked appointments from May 22. Construction at most of its English and Welsh sites is also underway.
Chief Executive Pete Redfern said: "This relaxation of the rules by government and the clear desire to reopen the housing market is very welcome. However, we believe that it is our responsibility to apply these rules carefully and protect the health of our customers and employees. Our people are looking forward to being able to welcome customers to their sales offices and show homes, energised by new skills developed in serving customers digitally over the last 7 weeks."
Shares in Taylor Wimpey were up 0.9% at 147.20 pence in London on Wednesday morning.
By Anna Farley; annafarley@alliancenews.com
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