With the easing of restrictions allowing more travel on roads, beginning 14 May Starbucks will begin a phased reopening of Drive-Thru locations across the UK as well as a handful of takeaway-only stores.
The coffee shop business said:
‘As has been the case since the onset of the outbreak, we continue to make every decision with the safety of our partners (employees) and customers as our greatest priority.
‘During our closure, we have been testing and refining our new operational plans and upweighted safety procedures, drawing where we can on the successes our global teams have seen in China (90% of stores now open) and the US (85% of stores now open) localising as necessary in line with the latest guidance form national government and health authorities.
‘With the easing of restrictions allowing more travel on roads, beginning 14 May we will begin a phased reopening of Starbucks Drive-Thru locations across the UK as well as a handful of takeaway-only stores. To find a store that is open near you, from 14 May, visit the store locator on Starbucks.co.uk.’
Your Starbucks Experience in the UK will look a little different, here’s what you can expect:
– ‘To-Go’ only model – offered via Drive-Thru, takeaway or delivery – minimising partner and customer touchpoints. All drinks will be served in a to-go paper cup, although we will continue to honour the personal cup discount.
– Social distancing will be in place inside our stores along with extra cleaning protocols and precautions, including more frequent cleaning and sanitizing of high-contact surface areas and increased handwashing by partners.
– Contactless payments only either by card, phone, or the Starbucks Rewards app which also enables customers to order ahead. Plexiglass screens will also be in place across all our stores.
– As a small gesture of gratitude for everything NHS workers have and continue to do, we’re offering a free Tall beverage of their choice at our stores.
– All stores will be serving a near-complete beverage menu, with everything from Lattes to Cappuccinos, Iced Coffees and Teas to Frappuccinos. Food will also be on offer but with a slightly more restricted menu, focused on our most popular items.
As partners prepare for a phased re-opening of stores, Starbucks UK General Manager, Alex Rayner recently shared the following letter to UK partners detailing the various experiences customers can expect under modified operation, including heightened safety protocols.
Dear Partners,
We are living in unprecedented times. The impact COVID-19 has had on all of us is significant – each affected in their own way. I want to thank you for your resilience and the kindness you have shown each other as we manage this, together.
Every decision we make as an organisation puts your health and well-being – and that of our customers – first. The temporary closures of our stores in March was a difficult decision but the right one.
During this time, we have been actively engaged with our China and US operations teams as well as operators in Europe who have seen their restrictions ease ahead of ours. We have been learning, testing and refining these operational standards every day and have tailored to the specific needs of our Government and healthcare officials. You will be able to work safely in our stores.
