SAUSAGE roll fans rejoiced as Greggs reopened its doors in Monklands today.
The Airdrie and Coatbridge branches on High Street and at Faraday retail park respectively are back in business – for takeaway only – along with another nine sites across Lanarkshire.
The firm previously carried out a health and safety trial at a number of stores in the North East of England amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Following the success of the trial, the fast-food retailer announced plans to reopen 800 UK stores for takeaway only - 200 of which are in Scotland.
Along with the Monklands shops, other Lanarkshire branches now open for the first time since lockdown began in March include Blantyre, Larkhall, Lanark, two in Motherwell and Wishaw and Rutherglen.
However, there is no word as yet when the Hamilton, Uddingston or Blantyre stores will re-open.
As part of a “one-way system”, one adult per household will be allowed into the shops at a time, with a limited menu available for customers which will feature firm favourites like sausage rolls, steak bakes and sausage, bean and cheese melts.
Social distancing measures will be implemented across all stores to help keep customers and workers safe.
All staff members will be provided with appropriate PPE, which includes face masks, visors and gloves.
Roger Whiteside, Greggs chief executive, said: “Over the past month, we have carried out robust trials using our new operational and social distancing measures and they have progressed well.
“This has allowed us to move to our next re-opening phase with just over 800 of our shops welcoming customers back.
“The health and safety of our colleagues and customers is our priority and for this reason we have put in the time and effort to make a thorough assessment of all shops.
“Although we will open with a reduced range, this will be a significant step in us helping the nation get back up and running and serving the communities that we operate in.”
