Coffee and Big Macs back on menu as chains get green light

CAFES have been told they can start reopening for business – as long as they observe social distancing and offer takeaways only.

The move comes after representatives from the biggest chains, including Costa, Pret a Manger and McDonalds, asked Environment Secretary George Eustice if they were allowed to start opening up some of their branches again.

And it is understood they were told: ‘You didn’t have to shut in the first place.’

The chains explained that it had been unclear from the rules whether they were entitled to stay open. They were also worried about the safety of their staff, and about a negative reaction from the public to their continuing to trade.

Pret a Manger has already started opening a handful of outlets near hospitals, with NHS staff offered a 50 per cent discount.

The news is likely to lead to more coffee shops opening where it is safe to do so – such as non-seating outlets on station concourses – with the proviso that customers queue two metres apart.

Mr Eustice is understood to have been ‘particularly perplexed’ by the closure of drive-through restaurants such as those operated by McDonalds, describing them as ‘the model of perfect social distancing’.

McDonalds has donated 300 tons of food and 100,000 litres of milk to emergency workers and vulnerable people during the crisis.

It is estimated the coffee shop market is worth more than £10billion to the UK economy a year.