Bakery giant Greggs will continue to serve up its festive bakes, sausage rolls and sweet treats throughout the latest lockdown after confirming all of its shops will remain open.
The food-on-the-go favourite – the 海角视频’s largest bakery chain – closed its portfolio of 2,039 stores during the first lockdown amid moves to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Despite being allowed to stay open under the original rules, the firm closed its stores to keep staff and customers safe, over fears large crowds would head into its stores, increasing the risk of spreading Covid-19.
The company gradually began re-opening stores in June with some just offering click and collect services, but all re-opened by July.
The Geordie favourite has now reassured customers that they will be able to buy takeaway food at all Greggs stores as England prepares to go into lockdown from tomorrow.
Dine-in options will be removed but customers can continue to enter shops to make purchases and the company, which launches the sale of its famed festive bake tomorrow, will be continuing its nationwide JustEat delivery service.
Meanwhile, the company confirmed its consultations on job losses is continuing.
Last month Greggs said it would be cutting jobs, having seen footfall reduce in some stores, but that it hoped to keep the numbers down by negotiating a cut in hours with staff.
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The Newcastle firm said it needs to reduce the hours worked at around half of its 2,039 shops, meaning around 11,000 workers are affected, but CEO Roger Whiteside can’t give a figure on how many roles are at risk until negotiations with staff have completed.
Following news the shops will stay open, a Greggs spokesperson said: “In accordance with the latest Government guidelines, Greggs shops across the 海角视频 will remain open for takeaway, click and collect and delivery.”
McDonald’s has also confirmed its intention to remain open during lockdown, adding that it will close off its restaurants’ dine-in areas.
Burger King, meanwhile, is encouraging the public to order takeaways from its rivals, supporting the industry while restrictions are in place.
In a social media statement the chain wrote: “Order from McDonald’s. We never thought we’d be asking you to do this.
“Just like we never thought we’d be encouraging you to order from KFC, Subway, Domino’s Pizza, Pizza Hut, Five Guys, Greggs, Taco Bell, Papa John’s, Leon... or any of the other independent food outlets, too numerous to mention here.”