Pret A Manger will reopen more than 200 branches for takeaway and delivery from June 1 taking total back in business after lockdown to over 300
- More than 200 sites, mostly in London, will be reopening from Monday, June 1
- Brings the total of Prets open to more than 300 across the UK after lockdown
- Perspex screens will be fitted to till counters, with social distancing in kitchens
Sandwich and coffee chain Pret A Manger will reopen more than 200 sites for takeaway and delivery from next Monday, with new social distancing measures in place.
Shops will reopen for the first time in towns across the country – but 75% of those chosen to open in a few days time are in London. Of the 204 listed to reopen, 153 are in the capital.
All Prets were initially shut, including for delivery and takeaway, with bosses saying they wanted to protect staff.
Perspex screens have been installed at tills in more than 300 Pret a Mangers to protect staff and customers from the spread of coronavirus, with 204 branches to reopen next week
![The number of customers allowed in store will be restricted according to the amount of floor space - with others being asked to wait outside. The practice is already in place at Prets that have already reopened](https://i1.wp.com/i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/28/15/28932284-8364871-image-a-2_1590675603703.jpg?resize=634%2C403&ssl=1)
The number of customers allowed in store will be restricted according to the amount of floor space – with others being asked to wait outside. The practice is already in place at Prets that have already reopened
With offices and commuting hubs empty, many of the sites would have also been deserted and Pret is expected to look at other avenues for revenue while office workers stay home.
Pano Christou, CEO of Pret said: ‘One of the best things about Pret is the way our teams rise to new challenges and that’s exactly what we’ve seen over the past few weeks.
‘We’re rapidly transforming our business in light of the pandemic and the dramatic drop in city centre footfall. The changes we’ve been making include new ways to serve customers and bring Pret’s products to our customers’ homes safely.
![New social distancing measures mean only one member of staff will be assigned to one area of the kitchen at any given time](https://i1.wp.com/i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/28/15/28921544-8364871-image-a-5_1590675734964.jpg?resize=634%2C409&ssl=1)
New social distancing measures mean only one member of staff will be assigned to one area of the kitchen at any given time
![Most of the Prets that are due to reopen on Monday are in London](https://i0.wp.com/i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/28/15/28932288-8364871-image-a-4_1590675699586.jpg?resize=306%2C459&ssl=1)
Most of the Prets that are due to reopen on Monday are in London
‘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.’
Rivals including McDonald’s, Nando’s and Greggs have revealed plans to welcome back hungry customers initially through deliveries, takeaways and drive-thru services.
Yesterday McDonald’s announced nearly 1,000 of its restaurants would reopen between Tuesday and Thursday next week.
To ensure social distancing for staff in Pret kitchens, each site will offer a limited menu, including its club sandwich, tuna baguette and chicken salad, it added.
Pret will also sell macaroni cheese, soups and risottos for customers to heat at home. It follows a similar move to start selling coffee beans direct to consumers though Amazon.
![Pret a Manger has has been operating on reduced menu since it started reopening chains as lockdown measures eased](https://i0.wp.com/i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/28/15/28928626-8364871-image-a-6_1590676239186.jpg?resize=634%2C423&ssl=1)
Pret a Manger has has been operating on reduced menu since it started reopening chains as lockdown measures eased
Ahead of reopening, Perspex screens have been fitted to the till counter, while the number of customers allowed into shops will be restricted.
Social distancing measures have been put in place in the kitchens, with only one person in certain areas of the kitchen at any one time – for example, fridges or staff rooms.
Most fast food chains and coffee shops are now asking customers to pay by contactless cards, to reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19 germs through cash or by touching a a PIN machine.
Orders for delivery can be made through Deliveroo, Just Eat and UberEats depending on the shop’s location, the company added.