Bakery chain Greggs planning to reopen Borders shops next week

The North Tyneside-based bakery has reopened 800 of its 2,000-plus shops across the UK, including seven in Edinburgh.

However, none of the region’s four shops are among those outlets back up and running following the relaxation of coronavirus lockdown laws on both sides of the border.

Its shops in Market Street in Galashiels, Kelso Square and Peebles and Hawick’s high streets remain closed for now, but they are earmarked to reopen next Thursday, July 2.

A Greggs spokesperson said: “The current plan is for shops in the Borders to reopen on that date, in the second phase of our reopening programme, although that is still dependent on guidance at the time.”

Last Thursday’s reopenings followed a successful health and safety trial in north-east England.

The shops are being reopened for takeaway food only with a limited menu featuring such favourites as sausage rolls, steak bakes and sausage, bean and cheese melts.

Social distancing measures, including one-way systems, are being implemented at all stores to help ensure the safety of customers and staff.

Workers are also being supplied with face masks, visors and gloves.

Greggs chief executive Roger Whiteside said: “Over the past month, we have carried out robust trials using our operational and social distancing measures and they have progressed well.

“This has allowed us to move to the next reopening phase with just over 800 of our shops now welcoming customers back.”

The Borders’ two Subway sandwich shops, in Jedburgh and Galashiels, are already open for takeaways, as is its only McDonald’s burger bar, also in Galashiels.