Starbucks to reopen all UK stores this week

(Sharecast News) - US cafe chain Starbucks said on Monday it would begin a phased reopening of all its establishments including its drive-thru locations in the United Kingdom as lockdown restrictions begin to ease.
The stores will begin reopening from Thursday, and will start taking take-away orders from customers the company said.

Social-distancing protocols would be put in place at the stores, as well as increased cleaning and sanitizing.

The coffee chain said it would open around 15% of its establishments in the UK in a first phase predominantly focused on drive through stores.

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

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

Included in its menu upon reopening would be Starbucks' core range of drinks and a limited food range.

Other fast food chains, such as McDonalds, had also said that they would begin reopening their branches in the UK for delivery orders as it tried to get the business moving again.

More than 30 Costa branches were open for deliveries and drive-throughs and Greggs had also unveiled plans to opening a few branches for delivery, but only as a trial.