Greggs shelves plans to reopen 20 stores due to overcrowding fears – but is testing making food for charities
GREGGS has halted plans to reopen 20 stores to the public due to overcrowding fears amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The trials will now be held behind closed doors, meaning Greggs fans will have to wait before they can get their favourite baked goods again.
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The chain temporarily closed all 2,050 of its shops a month ago due to the coronavirus crisis, even though it was allowed to stay open for takeaway orders.
But earlier this week, in a letter sent to staff seen by The Sun, top boss Roger Whiteside said the chain was looking at ways to reopen all of its stores after receiving an emergency loan from the government.
It said there would be three phases to reopening, starting with a trial of 20 stores in Newcastle from May 4.
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The 20 trial shops will be staffed by volunteers who will return to work on Monday. They'll be paid as usual.
Most of Greggs' workers have been placed on the government's coronavirus job retention scheme, with the bakery chain topping up their salaries to receive full pay.
Greggs had initially hoped that if feedback was positive from the trial it could move to phase two, with 700 shops reopening.
It's the latest retailer to make plans to reopen - KFC and Burger King have already started taking orders at branches.
While McDonald's told staff it’s getting ready to reopen as PPE and social distancing tests start this week.
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.
The chain has also been posting the exact recipes for its most-loved snacks so you can make them at home.
For example, here's how to make Greggs' cheese, bean and sausage melts, which also went down a treat with fans.