Greggs scraps plan to reopen stores

Bakery chain Greggs has halted plans to reopen multiple stores as soon as next week over fears the move would lead to mass crowds.

Greggs, which shuttered its stores in late March, had originally planned to reopen on a trial basis next Monday as part of an effort to see if it could operate effectively as Covid-19 social distancing measures were eased.

However, the group said on Friday that as a result of "significant interest" in its 20-shop trial in Newcastle and risks associated with excessive numbers of customers, it will now operate its initial trials "behind closed doors".

Greggs noted: "We will continue to review this and will invite walk-in customers into our shops only when we can be confident of doing so in the controlled manner we intended."

As of 0840 BST, Greggs shares were down 4.86% at 1,743p.