These are the Greggs bakeries in and around South Shields that will reopen on Thursday
Greggs has announced it plans to reopen around 800 stores to customers for takeaways from Thursday with the aim of welcoming sausage roll seekers to the remaining 1,000 sites by early July.
Bosses unveiled the new-look stores, with floor markings, protective clothes for staff and screens at counters among several measures to protect against coronavirus spreading.
There will also be a reduced menu to ensure social distancing in kitchens and workspaces.
A number of sites in South Shields and the wider North East will open to customers on Thursday, June 18.
The North East-based business has taken a tentative approach to reopening, with management keen to avoid any rushes or overcrowding at sites following its three-month closure.
Rivals KFC and McDonald’s have seen long car queues for drive-thru services and non-essential retailers were greeted with hundreds of shoppers waiting to snap up a bargain, as stores were able to reopen their doors on Monday, June 15.
Greggs had been allowed to stay open throughout the lockdown, offering takeaway and delivery services.
But bosses declined, saying it felt remaining open would compromise the safety of its employees.
Greggs warned sales are likely to remain subdued as the chain copes with fewer customers allowed in stores at any one time, following a series of small-scale trials near its offices.
As a result of the expected fall in sales, an unspecified proportion of staff “will remain furloughed until sales levels begin returning to normal”, the company said.
These are the Greggs bakeries in South Shields and nearby that will reopen:
Fredrick Street, South Shields
South Shields Interchange
Prince Edward Road, South Shields
Bede Industrial Estate, Jarrow
Bede Burn Road, Jarrow
Greggs @ Asda, Boldon Colliery
For the full list click here.