Greggs to shut all stores in bid to keep staff and customers safe

Greggs has said it will close its entire store estate by the end of business on today after bosses said operating as a takeaway was not going far enough to ensure proper social distancing.

The company added its name to a growing list of companies voluntarily closing stores ahead of suggestions the Government may step up action and close all “non-essential” stores.

Long queues built up at Mcdonald’s drive-through restaurants yesterday as diners raced to grab a last meal.

Fashion chain Next also said that it would close all 500 sites across the UK at 6pm last night and remain shut for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.

It follows full closures by Mcdonald’s, Primark, John Lewis and Nando’s as social distancing measures come under scrutiny.

Others remain open, including B&Q, which has reported an increase in business, as families look to home improvements while in self-isolation.

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It is now clear that to protect our people and customers we must go further and temporarily close our shops completely

Greggs said the decision to close was an attempt to protect staff from the spread of the virus, and avoid crowds gathering for takeaways.

The company said: “Given the current and likely impacts of coronavirus we are now planning for the closure of our shop estate to protect our people and customers.”

It added: “In addition to increased hygiene and separation measures, we converted all of our shops to provide a solely takeaway service accepting card payments only and have been advising all customers to follow social distancing guidelines.

“It is now clear that to protect our people and customers we need to go further and temporarily close our shops completely.”

Greggs also said a planned £40 million handout to shareholders and a share buying scheme have been shelved, adding: “We intend to maintain employment of colleagues at full contract hours for as long as is practicable”.