Where are Greggs reopening their 20 cafes?
BAKERY chain Greggs has reopened a small number of shops as part of plans to reopen 20 stores as part of a "controlled trial".
The gradual reopening process follows several trials with staff testing social distancing in the Newcastle area. Here's how to get your hands on a famous Greggs sausage roll.
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When is Greggs reopening?
Greggs is selling its popular products, including coffee, pasties and cakes, at 20 shops in the Newcastle area - where the company headquarters are based.
The chain closed its 2,050 plus stores on March 24 when the Government announced the lockdown.
In a letter to staff, chief executive Roger Whiteside said he expects the trial to last for at least two weeks.
He also said the bakery will produce a limited product range with shorter working hours.
The 20 branches are expected to follow social distancing rules as they take part in the trial.
According to Mr Whiteside, he hopes 700 stores, including 150 franchise shops will be opened from June 8.
By July 1, he expects the reopening of all stores as the government's furlough scheme will come to an end around that time.
He said: "We expect it will only be possible to open this many shops if the government has taken a first step in relaxing the lockdown, which could be to open the schools."
According to a spokeswoman: "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."
Greggs joins other food chains who have either opened or are set to open select stores.
KFC and Burger King have started taking orders at a few branches, while reports suggest McDonald's is looking to open for drive thru and takeaway services by mid-May.
Which stores are opening?
Greggs is not releasing the number of stores reopening or which locations are being chosen for walk-in customers as each trial is being considered on a case-by-case basis.
It has only been revealed that the reopening will take place in the Newcastle area.
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Can I get a Greggs delivery?
Greggs offer deliveries on Just Eat, allowing customers to get their favourite pastries straight to their doors.
Before the bakery partnered up with the takeaway app, a playful post on Just Eat's Facebook page reads: "Since lockdown began, we haven't been able to get you off our mind.
"Straight out of the oven you're too hot to handle, but this doesn't stop us from devouring you in minutes."