Subway to close at 5pm today due to coronavirus
SUBWAY has become the latest high street food chain to close stores over coronavirus concerns.
The sandwich shop says that as of 5pm tonight, it has authorised individual shop owners to close stores.
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The retailer works on a franchisee model where individuals own and run Subway's 2,572 stores around the UK and Ireland.
Stores tend to have five to 12 staff members, but Subway says it's the franchisee owner that's responsible for wages.
It adds that it's working on a "number of support measures" for owners.
Businesses may be able to apply for government funding to cover 80 per cent of staff members' wages up to £2,500 a month.
Which brands are shutting up shop?
HERE is the list of all the retailers that have said they are closing their doors thanks to coronavirus:
- Boden - closing all stores
- Burton - closing all stores
- Calvin Klein - closing all stores
- Clarks - closing all stores
- Costa - closing all stores but will try to keep shops in hospitals open
- Dorothy Perkins - closing all stores
- Evans - closing all stores
- Fenwick - closing all stores
- H&M - closing all stores
- HMV - closing all stores
- IKEA - closing all stores
- John Lewis - closing all stores
- McDonald's - closing all stores
- Miss Selfridge - closing all stores
- Nando's - closing all stores
- Oxfam - closing all stores
- Patisserie Valerie - closing all stores
- Starbucks - closing all stores
- Sweaty Betty - closing all stores
- Timpson - closing all stores
- TK Maxx - closing all stores
- Topshop - closing all stores
- Wallis - closing all stores
In a statement posted on social media, the food chain said: "We wish there was another way."
It added: "We want to do everything in our power to protect our loyal guests, dedicated Franchise Owners and amazing Sandwich Artists.
"So, for that reason, we have authorised all our Franchise Owners to close their stores in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 5pm today (March 23), until further notice.
"We believe this is the best thing to support social distancing and keep everyone as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
"However, many of our Franchise Owners are continuing to support the nation's frontline workers in their amazing efforts, by donating food responsibly, over the next few days.
"We'll be back with you as soon as we can."
Subway adds that fresh ingredients will be donated to local community groups and emergency workers, wherever possible.
It comes as McDonald's and Nando's have closed their doors to the public.
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Pret a Manger, Starbucks and Costa are also temporarily closing all UK stores due to coronavirus.
Cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants were told to close by the end of the day on Friday (March 20) by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to help tackle the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
But these businesses are still allowed to serve takeaways.