As the coronavirus lockdown restrictions begin to ease in the UK, restaurants, pubs and cafes have been able to start reopening, provided they can meet new safety measures. In what was dubbed “Super Saturday”, bars and eateries opened to the public again on July 4 in England. However, many fast food chains and restaurants have been slower to reopen their doors for customers who want to dine in.
Though the likes of Toby Carvery and KFC have welcomed customers back already on the government’s deadline, others have kept their seating areas closed off.
Big companies such as McDonald’s and Nando’s have so far stuck to takeaway orders only, but the chicken chain has revealed that’s all set to change this week.
Nando’s has announced that it will be reopening ten of its restaurants on July 8 to allow customers to eat inside for the first time since the lockdown.
The chain is taking small steps to return to normal, starting with just a select few of its locations that will open on Wednesday.
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For a start, customers can’t book in – but there will be a new queueing system in place which will allow chicken fans to secure their spot without waiting in line.
“We’ve put a new system in place. Instead of lining up outside the restaurant, all you need to do is scan the QR code that you’ll see when you arrive, and we’ll text you when your table is ready,” Nando’s explained on its website.
The chain will also be operating with cashless payments, with diners having to order and pay from their table using their phone – and while reward points can be earned, they can’t yet be redeemed.
Nando’s said it’s working on being able to offer rewards for its Chilli Points scheme.
Everything will be brought to your table so there’s no need to get up and grab your own cutlery and sauces, and there’ll be hand sanitiser stations around the restaurant too.
However, it might be tricky to get a table in the first place, with reduced capacity due to the new layouts which allow for social distancing between customers.
Nando’s isn’t the only restaurant chain hoping to welcome back its customers this week, a few days after the July 4 deadline.
Italian chain Pizza Express has also revealed it will be opening its doors at selected restaurants for dining in from July 9.
Here’s the full list of the initial ten Nando’s restaurants available for dining in from July 8:
Beckton
Birmingham – Bullring
Bluewater – Winter Garden
Bolton- Middlebrook
Bromley – St Mark’s Square
Leeds – J27
Liverpool ONE
Manchester – Trafford Centre
Park Royal
Westfield London