Local business offers free service for key workers

Thursday 26 March 2020

Having been forced to close temporarily like many others, one small local business is now offering all key workers and critical service vehicles free mechanical work and DPF cleaning.

Although JL Innovation is closed to general customers, the owner has decided to provide free labour for those who have to keep working to ensure the island runs throughout the lockdown period, with the help of his Head Technician, Tom Bourgaize.

Any parts needed will only be charged at trade price and are 'OEM quality or better', meaning the business can work on vehicles that are still in warranty.

The team will take extra precautions to prevent the spread of corona virus; using gloves, disinfecting all vehicles on arrival and departure, and ensuring no more than two people are in the workshop at any time.

The business will arrange collection and delivery of vehicles if needed.

"As with most businesses on Guernsey, we have found ourselves needing to cease trading until further notice due to the covid-19 outbreak," said James Larbalestier from JL Innovation. "Rather than just sitting at home and worrying about how the business will survive - we haven't figured that one out yet - we decided to focus on what we can do to help the community right now in this terrible situation.

"There are still many essential key workers carrying on as usual, keeping us safe at this time. We recognise that their vehicles are likely to be absolutely critical to their work in coming weeks, especially for those who care for people in the community. We want to ensue that they have access to our services if required, without the worry of how they may pay for the work.

Pictured: JL Innovation.

"They are going above and beyond for all of us, so we will go above and beyond for them."

In addition, Mr Larbalestier's new business, DPF Cleaning Guernsey is offering free diesel particulate filter cleaning for key workers, if they have issues with their emissions systems.

"Modern diesel and, in some cases, petrol vehicles have a special filter in the exhaust, which tends to block with local driving," he explained. "This can lead to issues with driving the vehicle, or it going into 'limp home mode' where it is unable to be properly driven at all.

"We are able to remove the filter and clean it in our specialist machine, bringing the filter back to almost new condition. This would also have no effect on vehicle warranty.

"Essentially, if key workers have an issue with their vehicle during this time, they can contact us to have it resolved either for free, or just at the cost of trade price parts required."

Any key workers in need of mechanical support can either contact JL Innovation via its Facebook page, email james@jl-innovation.co.uk or call 07781 122363.

Pictured top: JL Innovation.