Greggs is reopening 800 branches for takeaway on Thursday

Greggs has confirmed it will be reopening 800 of its stores for takeaway this Thursday.

Greggs has been trialling a reopening phase with a small number of stores, and previously promised that a select number of shops could be open by mid-June.

In a report, Greggs said: “In line with this plan we intend to re-open around 800 shops to takeaway customers later this week, on Thursday 18 June.

“All team members are being trained in the range of operational changes and protective measures that we have implemented across our retail estate.”

Greggs has also confirmed the social distancing measures that will be in place including floor markings, protective screens, PPE for staff and hand sanitiser.

Although the company will still be accepting cash, contactless payments is encouraged.

The company has also said that company rewards that were set to expire will be extended until December 2020. 

Greggs is expecting smaller sales as it reopens stores, with fewer customers allowed in the store at any one time. 

These expected lower sales means some staff will remain on furlough until the sales ‘begin returning to normal’.

Following the queues the likes of KFC, McDonald’s and Primark have seen when they reopened, Greggs has been cautious at reopening and avoiding any overcrowding at sites. 

Due to Gregg’s ability to offer takeaway services, it had been allowed to remain open throughout the lockdown. However, bosses said this would compromise the safety of its employees so instead closed for three months.