Pret to triple its number of site reopenings

The high street chain, which closed its c.500-strong UK estate back in March as a result of the Coronavirus crisis, currently has 101 stores operating again.

This latest round of reopenings, however, will bring that total to 305 sites. 

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.

“We’re rapidly transforming our business in light of the pandemic and the dramatic drop in city-centre footfall," says Pret CEO Pano Christou.

"The changes we’ve been making include new ways to serve customers and bring Pret’s products to our customers’ homes safely.

“It’s going to continue to be tough for Pret in the months ahead, and I’d like to thank our team members who are returning to work and making reopening possible.”

Earlier this week it was also reported that bakery chain Greggs was pushing forward with a new reopening strategy​​, with 800 stores across the UK set to reopen in June.

The group had initially planned to have all 2,050 of the its UK branches open again by the beginning of July, but subsequently backtracked over fears that sites could become overcrowded with customers.

According to the bakery brand, this new strategy follows a successful trial across a number of sites in the in the north-east of the country earlier this month.