Starbucks reopening: coffee chain opens some stores in Scotland for takeaway and delivery - how to check if your local branch is open

In a slew of coffee shops and fast food chains tentatively reopening their doors to the public for takeaway, Starbucks is the latest.

The coffee chain will introduce a phased reopening of its stores from 14 May.

Coffee lovers will be excited to hear the news - so whether it’s a latte, frappuccino or flat white that tickles your fancy, this is everything you need to know about the stores that are reopening.

Which stores are reopening?

Starbucks has revealed that from Thursday 14 May, some of its stores will be included in a phased reopening process.

The reopened venues will be operating on a Drive Thru and takeaway basis only.

“The safety of everyone is our greatest priority so our stores may look a little different to normal,” the company’s website explains.

Starbucks is opening 15 per cent of its UK sites, which is around 150 stores.

You can check if your local store is opened by using the Starbucks store locator here.

The opening time for stores will also be different to the usual opening times they operated pre-lockdown, so you’ll need to check your local branches' opening times.

In a letter shared by Alex Rayner, Starbucks UK general manager, it was revealed that the “goal is to be fully open by the end of June”.

What safety measures will be in place?

The stores included in the reopening process will be implementing these changes:

• Social distancing: only a limited number of customers will be allowed in a store at one time, and markers will be added to help customers maintain the two-metre rule
• Delivery: for stores that are available via delivery systems like Ubereats, delivery options will also be available for a contactless coffee drop off
• Contactless payment only: cash won’t be accepted at these stores, instead only payment via the Starbucks UK app, contactless cards or mobile payments will be permitted
• Cups and cutlery: only paper cups will be used, so no sit in mugs or travel mugs will be used, and take away cutlery will be provided instead of metal knives, forks and spoons
• Plexiglass: plexiglass screens will be installed across all the stores to protect both baristas and customers
• No condiments: the condiment bars will be kept behind the counter now, so you’ll need to ask a barista for the likes of sugar packets and stirrers

The stores will be offering a “near complete beverage menu”, with food also available to buy, but “with a slightly more restricted menu, focused more on [the] most popular items”.

Thank you to the NHS

Tweeting its official UK Twitter account, Starbucks revealed that NHS staff will be able to get coffee for free at their newly opened stores.

The Tweet states: “To show thanks to our NHS we are offering any tall drink for free in our stores, or a free hot beverage that can be claimed at self service locations in petrol stations. Just show your NHS badge to our staff in store.”