Starbucks to reopen 150 stores across UK from Thursday

The global coffee chain said it will open around 15% of its UK stores in the first phase of its reopening plans, which are predominantly focused on Drive Thru stores.

It said it will also reopen a "handful of takeaway-only stores" as it continues with preparations to allow all of its UK stores to be reopened.

Starbucks closed all of its UK sites in March after the Government-mandated lockdown was introduced.

The company said it has been "learning, testing and refining our operational standards every day" behind closed doors.

It said the reopening plan - which will start with stores broadly spread across the UK - will focus on ensuring the health and wellbeing of its employees and customers.

The reopening comes after fast food retailers, such as Burger King and KFC, have reopened Drive Thru sites.

Meanwhile, some cafe chain rivals such as Pret a Manger have reopened UK sites for takeaway customers.

Starbucks has already reopened some of its sites in other regions, including the US and China.

It said it has "taken learnings" from changes to its operations in China - where 90% of sites are now open - and the US in consideration of its UK sites.

New safety measures at UK sites will include regular hand-washing for at least 20 seconds, two metre social distancing, screens at payment areas and the use of contactless payment only.

The reopening menu will include Starbucks' core range of drinks and a limited food range, it said.

Employees have been paid during the closure and the chain said it "will not be accepting any opt-in government support" during the coronavirus crisis.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. These are challenging times but the team at the Yorkshire Evening Post need your support more than ever in the weeks ahead.

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Inevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty. So the support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with the city you live in during this time. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes - from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this and your continued support to the YEP will help to protect its viability in the days and weeks ahead.

For more details on our subscription offers please visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk/YEP, email [email protected] or call us on 0330 4033004

Thank you

Laura Collins

Editor