Costa Coffee will reopen another 29 stores across Britain for deliveries and drive-through orders

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Costa Coffee will reopen another 29 stores across Britain for deliveries and drive-through orders taking the total to 33 as all staff are given PPE

  • Four Costa branches re-opened in Manchester, Bristol and Mansfield on April 24
  • Another 12 delivery only and 17 drive-through stores are re-opening today
  • Costa Coffee joins the likes of McDonald’s and KFC in continuing business again 

By Jack Wright For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Costa Coffee is re-opening another 29 stores across the UK for deliveries and drive-throughs as all staff are given protective protective equipment (PPE).

Four branches re-opened in Manchester, Bristol, and Mansfield – two delivery only, two drive-through – on April 24, a month after the lockdown began. 

However, 12 delivery only and 17 drive-through stores will re-open today in towns and cities including Croydon, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, and Newcastle.

Costa Coffee (pictured, a store in London) is re-opening another 29 stores across the UK for deliveries and drive-throughs as all staff are given protective protective equipment

Some Costa Coffee branches have been open inside hospitals to serve NHS staff through the lockdown. But the decision to run a total 33 stores across Britain indicates that Costa Coffee is one of many chains seeking to restart trading.

The UK Government pursued a lockdown after scientists produced models warning that half a million people could die with the coronavirus if no action was taken.

Costa Coffee CEO Jill McDonald (pictured)

Costa Coffee CEO Jill McDonald (pictured)

There are concerns that the decision to shut down a huge portion of the UK economy has brought the country to the edge of an economic crisis more severe than the 1930s Great Depression.

Economists have estimated that the lockdown is costing Britain around £2.4billion per day, while a Bank of England official recently warned that Britain could be facing the worst economic contraction since 1920-21 – and possibly for three centuries. 

Costa Coffee CEO Jill McDonald told the Daily Mirror: ‘Last week we made the decision to reopen two Drive-Thru lanes and two stores for delivery only in line with the latest Government advice.

‘The safety of our team members and customers is our number one priority and ahead of these stores re-opening, we put in place new social distancing guidelines, enhanced hygiene procedures and are providing teams with PPE.

‘We have been really pleased with how well our stores teams have been able to adapt to our new ways working, allowing us to serve great coffee, as safely as possible.’

Ms McDonald continued: ‘We have also received some great feedback from our customers and key workers taking advantage of enjoying a well-deserved coffee break whilst on essential journeys to and from work.

‘We will be increasing the number of Drive-Thru lanes and stores open for delivery via Uber Eats from tomorrow (May 2).’ 

Which businesses are reopening stores? 

– Nando’s has opened six restaurants for delivery only in London (Clink St, Camberwell, Canary Jubilee, Gloucester Road) and Manchester (Fallowfield, Printworks);

– Burger King has opened eight restaurants for deliver only in Dundee, Aberdeen, Reading, Hillington, Southampton, Merto, and London;

– Wagamama will reopen its kitchens to delivery food to customers’ homes from Peckham and Hackney;

– Five Guys has opened 20 of its 104 restaurants in Cambridge, Norwich, Colchester, and Chelmsford;

– Timpsons will be opening stores, starting with those in supermarkets;

– KFC chicken chain is opening 100 branches for delivery only;

– Homebase has opened 20 of its stores as part of a trial. 

Costa Coffee is joining a number of famous chains which have chosen to reopen a select number of outlets – including Starbucks and McDonald’s. 

McDonald’s said it will reopen 15 restaurants for delivery only on JustEat and UberEats, with the locations of restaurants being announced next week.

The fast food giant will not be serving breakfast and will return with a limited menu and shorter opening hours.

McDonald’s will bring in perspex screens and floor markings, non-medical grade face masks for staff and social distancing measures for delivery drivers.  

Pret A Manger recently announced plans to partially reopen as pressure grows for an exit plan from the lockdown ravaging the economy. Their shops will open near hospitals and GP surgeries for delivery and takeaway services only.

But Greggs has postponed reopening 20 stores over fears of overcrowding. 

The takeaway bakery chain temporarily shut all of its 2,050 branches last month to protect customers and staff after the Government ordered all non-essential shops to close.