Scarborough's Clock Handyman faces extra challenge to let customers know its open as phone stops working

The owner of Clock Handyman Jane Kemp-Buglass faced even more challenges as she tried to get her business up and running after three months of lockdown  - BT had 'hung up' on her leaving customers thinking the shop had shut for good.
Clock Handyman in Victoria Road, ScarboroughClock Handyman in Victoria Road, Scarborough
Clock Handyman in Victoria Road, Scarborough

The hardware store in Victoria Road, Scarborough, re-opened this week and like businesses across the country is trying to get back to the 'new normal'.

But shortly after re-opening customers told Jane they could not get in touch with her to find out the state of play with the shop.

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“Many of our older customers are confused by the sudden change in everyday life, most do not have access to a mobile phone or internet so their only means of contact with us is by a landline telephone," she said.

Clock Handyman owner Jane Kemp-BuglassClock Handyman owner Jane Kemp-Buglass
Clock Handyman owner Jane Kemp-Buglass

"Customers said 'When I call I am getting number not valid'.”

Despite Jane's best attempts to resolve the broken line with BT, the shop is relying on word of mouth to let customers know the store is open.

Jane said “It’s not just the inconvenience it’s quite clear people are wondering if we are still closed, and some said they were concerned we had stopped trading. At a time people need us most we have lost our telephone line. Thankfully we have a website and social media but many of our customers like to pick up the telephone and talk to a real person”.

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