The man who owns nine McDonald’s restaurants across Nottingham has said closing the burger joints is “the right thing to do” during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Reacting to the unprecedented challenge, Jerry Nicholls, who owns nine restaurants across Nottingham, said: “I don’t want to see people in busy restaurants for the first time ever. I don’t want to see people shoulder to shoulder.”
On Friday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said restaurants and cafes must close, with the exception of takeaway.
Since then the fast food restaurants have been open for collection, drive-thru and delivery but all will be closed by 7pm tonight for the foreseeable future to protect staff and customers.
“The city centre stores are beginning to close. There is nobody in the city centre. Footfall is down by 80 per cent.
“We are deciding what to do with the stock as we speak,” said Mr Nicolls, who owns branches in Clumber Street, Exchange Walk, Angel Row and intu Victoria Centre – as well as the Trent Bridge, Castle Marina, Netherfield, Clifton and Nuthall Road restaurants.
He added: “We all need to observe social distancing and are closing to make staff and customers safe. This is the biggest thing this world has faced for generations.
Mr Nicholls employs more than 900 staff. He said: “I will stay in touch with them to make sure they’re OK. Obviously they are concerned but people have been really positive.
“I’d encourage everyone to sit on the settee. I’ll be staying at home watching Netflix.”
