BAKERY CHAIN STARTING TRIAL NEXT MONDAY TO TEST 'OPERATING SAFELY WITHIN SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES'

ONE of the favourites names on the Atherstone high street has announced plans to reopen branches.

The Greggs brand is the latest retailer to begin the process of emerging from coronavirus lockdown.

The proposals – made public after Boris Johnson urged the public to stay at home in order to avoid a second peak in infections which could further weaken the economy – will mean the Long Street shop could be open by June 8.

Bakery chain boss Roger Whiteside said he hopes a trial opening of 20 stores in the Newcastle area next Monday will inform the business about what changes need to be made to operate safely and meet social distancing guidelines.

In a letter to staff, Mr Whiteside said he hopes to open around 700 stores, including 150 franchise shops, with new operational measures in place by the second week in June.

"We expect it will only be possible to open this many shops if the Government has taken a first step in relaxing the lockdown, which could be to open the schools," the chief executive said.

"This timing may change depending on future Government announcements."

Mr Whiteside said the chain – which has received an emergency loan from the Government – then intends to open all of its 2,050 stores by July 1, when the Government's current furlough support package is due to end

Rivals such as Burger King, Pret a Manger and KFC have already reopened a small number of sites for takeaway and delivery. B&Q has reopened its doors to shoppers, while John Lewis has said it hopes to reopen all its shops next month.

Meanwhile, the introduction of cleaning stations is among a number of measures published by the British Retail Consortium to support the re-opening of stores once coronavirus restrictions are eased.

With no clear date set on when the non-essential firms will be able to re-open, the retail lobby group says the industry needs to be prepared ahead of time and has drawn up guidelines on how stores can minimise risk once the lockdown is lifted.

The BRC has worked with the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers to produce guidance on social distancing for non-food retail stores, drawing on Government advice as well as lessons learned from supermarkets in recent weeks.

The recommended measures include limiting entry and exit points, using floor markings to outline social distancing and keeping changing rooms closed.

The guidance also suggests installing cleaning stations with hand sanitiser and disinfectant wipes at the front of stores.

BRC chief Helen Dickinson said the guidance measures would serve to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both customers and staff.

"Since the lockdown, many retailers have proved how shops can be run safely and effectively in line with the Government's social distancing advice," she said.