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Starbucks is to reopen around 150 stores across the UK from Thursday.<\/p>\nStarbucks is to reopen around 150 stores across the UK from Thursday.<\/p>\n
The global coffee chain said it will open around 15% of its UK stores in the first phase of its reopening plans, which are predominantly focused on Drive Thru stores.<\/p>\n
It said it will also reopen a \u201chandful of takeaway-only stores\u201d as it continues with preparations to allow all of its UK stores to be reopened.<\/p>\n
Starbucks closed all of its UK sites in March after the British government-mandated lockdown was introduced.<\/p>\n
The company said it has been \u201clearning, testing and refining our operational standards every day\u201d behind closed doors.<\/p>\n
It said the reopening plan \u2013 which will start with stores broadly spread across the UK \u2013 will focus on ensuring the health and well-being of its employees and customers.<\/p>\n
The reopening comes after fast food retailers, such as Burger King and KFC, have reopened Drive Thru sites.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, some cafe chain rivals such as Pret a Manger have reopened UK sites for takeaway customers.<\/p>\n
Starbucks has already reopened some of its sites in other regions, including the US and China.<\/p>\n
It said it has \u201ctaken learnings\u201d from changes to its operations in China \u2013 where 90% of sites are now open \u2013 and the US in consideration of its UK sites.<\/p>\n
New safety measures at UK sites will include regular hand-washing for at least 20 seconds, two metre social distancing, screens at payment areas and the use of contactless payment only.<\/p>\n
The reopening menu will include Starbucks\u2019 core range of drinks and a limited food range, it said.<\/p>\n
Employees have been paid during the closure and the chain said it \u201cwill not be accepting any opt-in government support\u201d during the coronavirus crisis.<\/p>\n