Cafes and coffee shops are to start to reopen, as long as social distancing is practised, the sector is worth an estimated £10bn to the UK economy each year.
Representatives from the largest chains, such as Pret a Manger, Costa and McDonalds asked George Eustice, the Environment Secretary if they can start to reopen.
It is understood that Eustice has been “particularly perplexed” by the closure of drive-through restaurants and described them as “the model of perfect social distancing.”
It is also understood that Eustice said, “You didn’t have to shut in the first place.”
Where it is safe to do so, more coffee shops are likely to follow and reopen, with customers queuing at least two meters apart.
McDonalds has donated 100,000 litres of milk and 300 tonnes of food to emergency workers and the vulnerable, and Pret a Manger has already opened a few sites near hospitals offering NHS staff 50% discount.
KFC are to reopen 11 of its restaurants after staff volunteered to work, and are to reopen some stores for takeaway and delivery services, but with no dine in options.
Burger King marketing director Katie Evans said: “We are committed to providing 1,000 meals a week to NHS staff based in the vicinity of these restaurants as we want to demonstrate how appreciative everyone at Burger King UK is of their efforts in these unprecedented times.”
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