All the Greggs bakeries that will reopen in Sunderland on Thursday

Bosses unveiled the new-look stores, with floor markings, protective clothes for staff and screens at counters among several measures to protect against coronavirus spreading.

There will also be a reduced menu to ensure social distancing in kitchens and workspaces.

A number of sites in Sunderland and the wider North East will open to customers on Thursday, June 18.

The North East-based business has taken a tentative approach to reopening, with management keen to avoid any rushes or overcrowding at sites following its three-month closure.

Rivals KFC and McDonald’s have seen long car queues for drive-thru services and non-essential retailers were greeted with hundreds of shoppers waiting to snap up a bargain, as stores were able to reopen their doors on Monday, June 15.

Greggs had been allowed to stay open throughout the lockdown, offering takeaway and delivery services.

But bosses declined, saying it felt remaining open would compromise the safety of its employees.

Greggs warned sales are likely to remain subdued as the chain copes with fewer customers allowed in stores at any one time, following a series of small-scale trials near its offices.

As a result of the expected fall in sales, an unspecified proportion of staff “will remain furloughed until sales levels begin returning to normal”, the company said.

These are the Greggs bakeries in Sunderland and nearby that will reopen:

Park Lane Interchange

St Luke’s Terrace, Sunderland

Sea Road, Fulwell

Grindon, Springwell Road

Hylton Riverside Retail Park

Chester Road, Sunderland

Washington Retail Park

The Galleries Shopping Centre, Washington

Newbottle Street, Houghton

Byron Place Shopping Centre, Seaham

Cook Way, Peterlee

Yoden Way, Peterlee

For the full list of 800 stores, click here.

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