Operations

Starbucks opens UK stores Thursday with precautions

Starbucks at St. Katharine Docks in London, United Kingdom. (Photo: iStock)

May 12, 2020

Starbucks said its U.K. stores will begin phased reopening of drive-thru locations there starting May 14, as well as "a handful" of takeaway-only stores, according to its website. The brand said leadership has used successes from its stores in China, where 90% of stores are open, as well as the U.S. where 85% of stores are open to guide its practices in the U.K. 

Modifications to operations at stores opening there, include: 

• To-Go-only via drive-thru, takeaway or delivery: These will be the only ways to order and engage with the brand currently and all drinks will come in to-go paper cups, though the brand will still honor  the "personal cup discount."
• Social distancing and stepped up sanitization in stores: Inside stores the brand will institute extra cleaning protocols and precautions, including more frequent cleaning and sanitizing of high-contact surface areas and increased handwashing.
• Only contactless payments by card, phone, or the Starbucks Rewards app.
• Plexiglass screen installation at all stores. 
• "Near-complete" beverage menu, and more restricted menu, focused on popular items.

The brand said it will also be offering free tall beverages to National Health Service workers as a show of gratitude for their work during the pandemic.