Greggs reopening 20 branches from next week for takeaways
GREGGS fans will soon be able to get their hands on their favourite baked goods as it looks to open 20 stores from next week.
It won't be business as normal though as the the high street bakery chain will only be offering takeaway service.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
In a letter sent to staff seen by The Sun, top boss Roger Whiteside said that the chain is now looking at ways to reopen all of its stores after receiving an emergency loan from the government.
The chain temporarily closed all 2,050 of its shops a month ago to protect staff and customers from spreading the deadly coronavirus, even though it was allowed to stay open for takeaway orders.
There will be three phases to reopening, starting with a trial of 20 stores in Newcastle from May 4.
The branches will be offering a limited menu and shorter opening hours, as well as implementing strict social distancing rules.
Shops allowed to stay open
ONLY a small group of retailers will be allowed to stay open, they include:
- Supermarkets
- Pharmacies
- Takeaways and food deliveries
- Health shops
- Medical services – eg, dentists
- Vets
- Newsagents
- Pet shops
- Hardware stores
- Retail shops in hospitals
- Petrol stations
- Bicycle shops
- Laundrettes and dry cleaners
- Undertakers
- Banks, building societies
- Short-term loan providers, credit unions and cash points
- Storage and distribution centres
- Post Offices
- Car rental services and car parks near vital services such as supermarkets
- Public toilets
- Car garages and repair shops
- Food banks and shelters.
The plan is for the trial to run for at least two weeks before any decisions can be made about opening more stores.
It's the latest retailer to make plans to reopen - KFC and Burger King have already started taking orders at a handful of branches.
Meanwhile, while reports on Friday revealed that McDonald's was looking to open again by mid-May for delivery and drive-thru orders.
If the trial is deemed successful, Greggs would then look to opening another 700 stores, including 150 franchises, as part of phase two.
But it would only look to do this if the government takes the first steps in relaxing lockdown measures, such as allowing children to return to school.
Providing childcare this way will allow more members of staff to return to work.
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - STAY IN THE KNOW
Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun’s Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, .
To follow us on Facebook, simply .
Get Britain’s best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day – .
It is currently working towards a target date of June 8, although this could change depending on future government announcements.
Sales in these stores are expected to be low and as a result, not all employees of these shops will be asked to return to work.
All furloughed staff will continue to be paid full contracted hours until July 1.
It hopes to be able to roll out the third phase in July, when all stores will reopen although this is also subject to the government.
The chain is yet to release details of the exact stores that it will be opening and what's on the menu, but we hope that staples like the vegan sausage roll and steak bake will be making a comeback.
It's also not clear whether it will resume its Just Eat partnership so fans can get their favourite foods delivered to their homes.
A spokesperson said: "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."
Most read in money
Fans who've been missing their Greggs' fix have been able to pick up frozen versions of their favourite snacks from the baker's range at Iceland, but it's not quite the same.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
The chain has also been posting the exact recipes for their most-loved snacks so you can make it at home.
For example, here's how to make their cheese, bean and sausage melts, which also went down a treat with fans.