But the chain has decided to change its plans to get 20 stores in the Newcastle area operating again after seeing how excited people were at the prospect. Under the original plans, Monday May 4 was seen as the start of a a "controlled trial". The company predicted that sales in the stores will be "significantly lower than normal" while social distancing measures are in place. There is no word as yet whether the delay in opening the first stores will significantly affect this target. Greggs bucked the trend of many fast food outlets and cafes when it closed shops - telling all staff they would retain 100% of wages while on furlough, rather than the 80% on offer at many of its rivals.

Source: Daily Mirror May 01, 2020 08:07 UTC