Pret pushes forward with further reopenings across UK

It brings the total number of Pret stores now operating again to 101, the chain having previously closed its entire estate as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic back in late March.

Until now Pret’s reopening strategy has focused specifically on London​​, with 30 initial sites having been reopened in the last month.

However, this latest phase has seen stores in Birmingham, Bristol, Brighton, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds and Manchester also reopen.

All reopened sites are offering delivery through third party platforms, as well as takeaway; with a maximum of six people allowed in the stores at any one time. 

Menus have been limited to allow for social distancing to be followed in the kitchens; and a selection of essential grocery items including milk, butter and tea are also being stocked.

In a blog post addressed to customers, Pret CEO Pano Christou said: “It’s been fantastic to see so many of you respecting the social distancing changes we’ve made in our reopened shops, and we’re extremely grateful for your support.

“The Pret experience for both our customers and teams will continue to feel very different. For example, each shop will be fitted with Perspex screens at the tills, we will restrict the number of customers in our shops, we’ll provide hand sanitiser for customers, and face coverings to our Team Members who prefer to wear one.”

Christou also added that Pret is widening its distribution of unsold food to homeless charities.

Meanwhile, bakery chain Greggs, which earlier this month backtracked on plans​​ to begin a phased reopening sites over fears they could become overcrowded with customers, has begun quietly reopening an undisclosed number of its stores across the North East on a trial basis.