Eastbourne car wash owner defends breaking lockdown rules

Eastbourne Hand Car Wash on Seaside was forced to shut by the police last week (November 12).

Ben Saber, co-owner of the business, filmed the police arriving him and issuing him with a £1,000 fine.

In the video Mr Saber asked police, “Asda has a car wash and this is a car wash. Asda’s is open. What is the difference between us being open and Asda?”

In response, one of the officers said, “That is not for me to decide. You will need to ask the Prime Minister.”

The video has been viewed many times on social media, gaining a lot of responses from viewers.

Mr Saber said, “Ninety-five per cent of people are behind us. Lots of people are supporting us and say they will come to us after lockdown.”

He said ‘it just doesn’t seem very fair’ as bigger companies are allowed to continue serving customers while smaller businesses have to remain shut.

Mr Saber said how the rules are a ‘big contradiction’ because if the car wash was attached to a petrol station it would count as an essential service.

He said, “We should be able to stay open and work alongside the other suppliers.”

As well as the car wash, Mr Saber is also the owner of a bar and cleaning company and said he’s ‘still got bills to pay’.

Mr Saber said how his business sanitises vehicles inside and out – including taxis and NHS workers’ cars – vehicles that need to be cleaned. Due to this service, he believes car washes – whether they’re attached to a petrol station or not – should be classed as essential.

He said, “None of it makes sense really. It’s absurd.”

Earlier this month, the Petrol Retailers Association and Car Wash Association asked the government to allow car washes to be included as essential businesses – but permission was only granted to car washes attached to petrol stations.

Brian Madderson, chairman of the associations, said, “The CWA will continue with its robust lobbying as automated car washes that are not connected to a petrol station have not yet been granted an exemption to remain open.

“We are working to ensure that these businesses are not discriminated against in this – and any potential further – lockdown.”