MILAN – Costa Coffee has been slowly reopening its coffee shops as the UK lockdown continues. The Coca-Cola owned coffee shop chain has opened a further 46 stores after a successful trial period – and customers are now allowed to pick up their order in person.
The company has announced that even more stores have opened this weekend, allowing customers to go in person as well as order for delivery.
Costa began a phased reopening last month having been forced to close all its shops temporarily on Monday March 23, keeping only its branches inside hospitals open to provide free coffee to key workers.
However, in recent weeks the coffee chain has taken baby steps to getting back up and running.
As takeaway stores start to reopen across the UK, companies are having to make huge changes to stores in order to make them safe for customers and staff.
In a statement on the website, Costa CEO Jill McDonald said: “For those customers visiting a takeaway store, they will look and feel quite different.
“These changes have been made to protect our team members and customers and we thank you in advance for your support.”
The company chief revealed that much like some UK supermarkets, the number of customers entering stores will be restricted depending on the space available.
Costa has also implemented floor signs to make sure social distancing guidelines are met at all times when customers queue in or outside the store.
Last week, Starbucks announce the reopening of about 150 takeaway and drive-thru stores across the Uk.
Caffè Nero said it would reopen a further 33 sites by the end of this week for takeaway only.
