Kentish Express Ashford & District
Big queues as KFC branch reopens
Chicken lovers eager to get their hands on a long-awaited KFC stopped buses getting to an estate.
Stagecoach said it was unable to get to its usual stop outside the Cineworld on Ashford’s Eureka Park due to an “extremely large number of vehicles” queuing for some finger lickin’ food.
The branch was previously only open for delivery - but bosses believed it was safe enough to have the drive-thru up-and-running and it is now catering for motorists.
Three other outlets in Kent - Broadstairs, Dover and Gillingham - have also reopened.
But Stagecoach was unable to serve the Eureka Park estate last week because of the queues.
In a tweet, it said: “Due to an extremely large number of vehicles queuing for a tasty KFC we will be unable to serve Eureka Cinema.
“Please use Thomson Road bus stops along Trinity Road.
“Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.”
Earlier this month, fast food chicken lovers were urged to use their common sense when the outlets reopened.
It came after dozens of drivers flocked to Broadstairs’ KFC, causing a traffic jam and sparking a police call-out.
In a statement, KFC said: “We’ve been working hard to responsibly reopen our restaurants and now we’re spreading our wings a little further.
“In line with government advice, we’ve decided to open the drive-thru lanes at 55 of our UK restaurants that are already open for delivery.
“We know it’s tempting, but please, please don’t all rush at once.”
Bosses say the drive-thrus, which are offering a limited menu, are following stringent new social distancing and safety procedures, including contactless handover of food and protective screens.
On Monday, a Stagecoach spokesman confirmed buses have returned to the estate this week.
In March, a huge queue formed on Eureka Park as residents rushed to get one last McDonald’s before the lockdown.
Just a stone’s throw away from KFC, the Dobbies garden centre has also reopened.