Halfords, a designated provider of essential services, has also stress-tested for a sales fall of 25% – about £300m – as a result of the coronavirus crisis and said it is confident it can operate within its existing debt facilities.

Halfords said that many key workers – including British Transport Police and Ministry of Defence staff – rely on it to keep their motor fleets running.

Halfords’ Autocentres and vans are still trading. Halfords said that its retail division is “working through a plan to provide partial store coverage from later this week”. The retailer said: “We are committed to playing our part, but only if we can ensure the health and safety of our colleagues and customers, and we are able to comply with government policy.”