Vantage Motor Group may roll out a network wide basic sign language workshop to help give staff some grounding to better communicate with customers with hearing problems.

The training follows on from a course taken by employees at Vantage Hyundai Stockport.

Dealer principal Paul Sharp invited British Sign Language (BSL) instructor Lorri Wilson to train staff at the dealership after she came in to buy a car and was impressed with how staff had helped her.

Sharp said that although the sales process was handled well, he realised it could be improved if the dealership could communicate through sign language rather than basic hand gestures and notes.

He said: “Our aim is to make all customers feel as secure and as welcome as possible. By putting on the workshop, we hope to reach out to the wider community.”

The workshop will be rolled out if the training is deemed a success at the Stockport location.

Wilson said: “When I was shopping for a new car at Vantage Hyundai Stockport, the staff were amazing and I was impressed with the impeccable level of customer service I received.

“After a hard of hearing friend went through a truly awful sales experience elsewhere, I wanted to raise awareness of how the requirements of customers with difficulties need to be addressed.

“Paul and the team at Vantage were passionate about working with me to teach them key sign language skills. As far as I’m aware, no other dealership is doing anything like this and I think it is a great thing to do for the surrounding community.”

The workshop, which was paid for by Vantage, lasted four hours in both a classroom and practical environment. Staff were awarded with a training certificate after the session.