Chains outline reopening plans
They are told that they can start reopening for business as long as they observe social distancing and offer takeaways only.
Greggs has confirmed plans to reopen a number of shops amidst the country’s ongoing lockdown due to the pandemic.
"We want to play our part in getting the nation back up and running again so we are planning to conduct a limited trial with volunteers to explore how we can reopen our shops with new measures in place that keep our colleagues and customers as safe as we can when we re-open at scale," a spokesperson for the bakery chain told QSR Media.
The firm is the latest chain to express plans for reopening.
Five Guys initially kept 13 restaurants open for delivery and click and collect orders but now said that seven more branches will reopen for business. Fellow burger chain Shake Shack said it will re-open its Tottenham Court Road and Canary Wharf locations for takeaway and delivery.
French artisan bakery brand PAUL has also reopened seven of its stores in Canary Wharf, Hampstead, Holland Park, South Kensington, Hammersmith, Marble Arch and Wimbledon with Chelsea, Earl Court and Islington scheduled to open this week.
Burger King and KFC also said it will be opening a few stores for takeaway and delivery.
Last week, Costa Coffee reopened two drive-thrus and two takeaway shops whilst Nando’s said that seven of its city centre restaurants reopened their kitchens to provide up to 1,700 free meals each day for NHS staff and key workers at local hospitals and charities.
Chains have been told that they can start reopening for business as long as they observe social distancing and offer takeaways only. This move comes after representatives from Costa, Pret A Manger and McDonald’s asked Environment Secretary George Eustice if they were allowed to start opening up some of their branches again.
McDonald's said they have began working through a "potential and limited reopening."
“This week we are carrying out some operational tests to explore what our reopening might look like; the restaurant where these tests take place will remain closed to the public. These tests will include exploring social distancing measures for our crew, PPE options and opening in a limited capacity. For now we remain closed, and will only reopen when we are absolutely confident we can have the right measures in place to ensure everyone’s wellbeing," McDonald's CEO for UK and Ireland Paul Pomroy said in a statement.
