The Halfords Code: Bike and car repair chain unveils how Covid-ready stores will operate with staff behind 'sneeze screens' and customer marshals - as 53 branches will fully reopen by Friday

27 May 2020, 11:04 by Sebastian Murphy-bates For Mailonline

Halfords expect sales surge from customers waiting to get back behind wheel as the UK lockdown eases
The stores will include marked-off pick-up zones for people coming to collect bicycles from local branches
Markings on the floor instruct people to keep two metres apart as part of the new measures at Halfords

Halfords has revealed how it plans to fully reopen 53 UK stores by Friday with customers being allowed back inside to browse shelves.

The bike and car parts retailer has today released a video detailing how it will deploy marshals to guide people through the aisles, put 6ft social-distancing markers on the shop floors and install 'sneeze screens' to keep both staff and customers safe.

Bosses expect a huge surge in customers wanting to hit the road after being cooped up during lockdown for more than nine weeks.

While the retailer has remained open in lockdown, with the government deeming bike shops among the essential stores able to stay open, it instead shut stores and operated online and from store car parks instead.

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/27/14/28881360-8361139-Pictured_A_sign_at_Halfords_encouraging_shoppers_to_social_dista-a-55_1590584721175.jpg — A sign at Halfords encouraging shoppers to social distance amid the coronavirus pandemic is among the many new additions people can expect to see when they are allowed back inside stores this week.

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/27/14/28881354-8361139-Pictured_A_sneeze_screen_at_Halfords_helping_to_protect_people_f-a-56_1590584721178.jpg — One of Halfords' 'sneeze screens' set up around the tills to protect both staff and customers from catching coronavirus

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/27/14/28881356-8361139-A_marshal_is_pictured_advising_a_customer_in_Halfords_which_will-a-57_1590584721217.jpg — One marshal is pictured advising a customer in Halfords - the bike and car repair retailer will be using staff to guide people through its stores when 53 reopen this week

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/27/14/28883402-8361139-image-a-60_1590585268207.jpg — Customers will have to keep 6ft apart in Halfords, where aisles will be marked with tape to ensure social-distancing at all times

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/27/14/28883396-8361139-image-a-62_1590585272362.jpg — Designated collection zones have been set up in stores across the UK to protect customers during the coronavirus pandemic

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/27/14/28880604-8361139-image-a-54_1590584721173.jpg — Halfords will fully reopen 53 stores under its 'Retail Lite' programme with new Covid-ready safety measures this week

A date has not been set but screens and markings will be in place along with other safeguarding measures, Halfords said.

Graham Stapleton, CEO of Halfords, said: 'We are pleased to be in a position to start letting our customers back into our stores. 'However, we are going to be reopening them to our customers gradually and cautiously in order to be absolutely certain that our colleagues and customers have a safe environment in which to work and shop.

'There has been a big surge in demand for our bike products and services as people have taken to cycling during the lockdown, both for commuting and for fun.

'We are also anticipating a similar level of demand for our motoring products and services in the coming days, as people begin to use vehicles again that in some cases will have been off the road for many weeks.

Halfords release video for customers as stores plan to reopen

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/27/14/28879540-8361139-Halfords_are_opening_up_53_stores_by_Friday_as_lockdown_eases_ac-a-58_1590584721218.jpg — Halfords are opening up 53 stores by Friday as lockdown eases across the UK but have introduced protective measures for customers (file photo)

Retailers prepare to re-opon across the UK

John Lewis yesterday announced plans to reopen some of its department stores next month, but would not confirm an exact date for when all stores would open across the UK. Bosses said social distancing measures used in its Waitrose stores have 'informed' its preparations for the department stores.

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/27/14/28879742-8361139-John_Lewis_has_also_announced_that_it_will_be_reopening_stores_f-a-70_1590586273732.jpg — John Lewis has also announced that it will be reopening stores (file photo of one of the department stores)

Retailers are gearing up for what has been dubbed the 'sale of the century' with about £15billion worth of stock available after clothing stores shut their doors just days after filling their rails with spring and summer fashion.

Similarly, Marks & Spencer bosses have been guided by the safety measures employed in their own cafés when reopening stores. Dozens of the retailer's food outlets reopened for takeaway only on May 15.

Next and M&S are among the retailers expected to promote huge discounts, with warehouse storage space 90 per cent full for some outlets who have resorted to putting products in containers on railway sidings.

'The launch of our new Retail Lite model will assist us in meeting this increased demand, which in turn will allow us to continue helping to keep the UK moving.'

The stores spread across the country will allow a limited number of shoppers through its doors under a model bosses want to call 'Retail Lite'.

Halfords has been allowed to remain open throughout the global pandemic and subsequent lockdown, classed as an 'essential' business.

The decision comes a day after the Government said most non-essential retailers could reopen from June 15, although the announcement was overshadowed by the Dominic Cummings scandal engulfing the Prime Minister.

But the company chose to close sites and operate an employee-only model where customers could make purchases from outside or online, meaning of 335 of Halfords' 446 retail stores have been run this way since lockdown.

Halfords said: 'However, there is no timetable or deadline in place for doing so and the pace will instead be dictated entirely by the company's confidence that it can keep its colleagues and customers safe.'

In addition to its retail stores, Halfords currently has 346 of its 373 garages and 77 vans operating under a contactless model.

Thousands of shops, department stores and shopping centres can open from June 15, while outdoor markets and car showrooms will be allowed to open from next Monday as coronavirus lockdown restrictions are eased.

But things will look very different in the revamped stores, with checkouts behind screens, toilets and changing rooms closed, a limit on the number of customers allowed inside the store at any time and no seating available.

Stores will also feature markings outside to assist with socially-distanced queuing and encourage customers to shop alone where possible, according to union-backed guidance issued by the British Retail Consortium.

The future of McDonald's: £25 limit per car at drive-thrus , plastic screens at counters and staff getting daily temperature checks - as fast food giant announces 975 branches will reopen next week

By Luke May for MailOnline

McDonald's has announced nearly 1,000 more restaurants will reopen for drive-thrus or deliveries from next week, under a new lockdown friendly measures with a £25 cap on orders.

Each franchise has been asked to make sure its staff are fit and able to work, following nearly two months of lockdown measures.

From next Tuesday McDonald's will begin announcing the restaurants that have reopened. By Thursday, 975 franchises will have reopened.

McDonald's UK explains how they will ensure safety during pandemic

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/27/13/28879838-8361235-Cleaning_stations_will_be_set_up_inside_McDonald_s_restaurants_f-a-19_1590581912481.jpg — Cleaning stations will be set up inside McDonald's restaurants for visiting delivery drivers, who will have no contact with restaurant staff when they arrive to pick up orders

Footage shows how restaurants are reopening with protective screens between staff and customers. Workers are also expected to wash their hands every 30 minutes.

Protective screens have been put in place inside the kitchens and at drive-thrus to lower the risk of contamination.

For customers, the major changes are a reduced menu and a £25 spending cap, which has been introduced as staff get used to working in smaller teams and to reduce waiting times at drive-thru lanes. Diners are also being asked to pay via contactless cards.

A McDonald's spokesman said: 'We can today announce that by 4th June, 1019 of our restaurants will have reopened, either for Drive Thru or McDelivery.

'This means every Drive Thru in the UK and Ireland will reopen between Tuesday and Thursday next week and we will start to expand the availability of McDelivery too.

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/27/14/28881070-8361139-Customers_are_being_asked_to_pay_with_contactless_cards_when_usi-a-64_1590585511731.jpg — Customers are being asked to pay with contactless cards when using McDonald's drive-thrus, while cleaning of payment equipment will be stepped up

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/27/14/28879836-8361139-Perspex_screens_between_drive_thru_workers_and_customers_have_be-a-65_1590585511749.jpg — Perspex screens between drive-thru workers and customers have been installed to further reduce the risk of spreading the virus

'This is only possible following the hard work of the teams in our 44 pilot restaurants.

'Over the last fortnight, our employees, franchisees and suppliers have worked tirelessly to implement new procedures to enable safe working so that we can now help all parts of the UK and Ireland to enjoy the return of the Big Mac.

'With fewer employees working in our kitchens and service areas, our teams will still need your patience and support as they continue to adjust to the new ways of working.

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/27/13/28881048-8361235-McDonald_s_staff_will_regularly_disinfect_surfaces_at_their_stor-a-24_1590581912883.jpg — McDonald's staff will regularly disinfect surfaces at their stores to reduce the risk of customers and employees transmitting coronavirus between each other

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/27/14/28881042-8361139-Staff_will_wear_face_masks_under_the_plans_to_reopen_McDonald_s_-a-66_1590585511797.jpg — Staff will wear face masks under the plans to reopen McDonald's stores across Britain which will look very different as Britain begins to exit the coronavirus lockdown

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/27/13/28881044-8361235-Workers_will_wear_protective_gear_including_gloves_in_their_stor-a-26_1590581912950.jpg — Workers will wear protective gear including gloves in their stores as they prepare food for contact-free delivery, and hand over bags to delivery drivers to take to customers

'Face coverings, gloves, Perspex screens and new safety and hygiene processes mean it will look different, it will take a little longer and as we have seen in the pilot restaurants, we expect demand will be high. Please bear with us, we will continue to put our people first – their safety is our priority.'

Drive-thrus reopening as lockdown measures ease has caused long queues as fast-food fans look to get their first fix of McDonald's since restaurants were shut.

In some cases McDonald's has had to shut drive-thru lanes, while there have also been complaints of delivery driver safety after they were seen queuing out the door in London to pick up orders.

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/27/14/28880388-8361139-Staff_are_being_kept_apart_where_possible_with_additional_screen-a-67_1590585511820.jpg — Staff are being kept apart where possible, with additional screens being installed inside kitchens and at drive-thru windows

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/27/14/28881076-8361139-Kitchens_have_been_refitted_with_perspex_glass_while_staff_are_w-a-68_1590585511828.jpg — Kitchens have been refitted with perspex glass, while staff are wearing additional PPE inside the fast food restaurants. There will also be zero contact between delivery drivers and kitchen staff, McDonald's has announced

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/27/14/28879834-8361139-Staff_at_each_restaurant_are_having_their_temperatures_regularly-a-69_1590585511847.jpg — Staff at each restaurant are having their temperatures regularly checked to ensure they are fit to work and are not potentially spreading the virus

What will be included in McDonalds' limited menu?

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/27/13/28880900-8361235-image-a-21_1590581912730.jpg

Main Menu:

Cheeseburger

Hamburger

Double Cheeseburger

Big Mac

Quarter Pounder with Cheese

McChicken Sandwich

Filet-O-Fish

Chicken McNuggets

Chicken Selects

Sides & Desserts:

Fries

Mozzarella Dippers

McFlurry (Oreo, Maltesers, Smarties)

Fruit Bag

With more than 900 more drive-thru lanes reopening by next Thursday, the fast food giant says it is working to keep customers levels down.

It is only announcing which stores have reopened on the day it happens.

A McDonald's spokesman said: 'In the last week, on occasion, we have taken the decision to close Drive Thru lanes where demand has impacted local communities or the safety of our people or customers.

'We will continue to work with local authorities and the police as we extend our reopening plans.

'With smaller teams, we will still be offering a limited menu over reduced hours, and we ask that you make contactless payments and limit your spend to £25.

'We are continuing to review these measures as we reopen, but for now, these restrictions remain in place to help our employees, customers and delivery partner couriers to remain safe.

'To manage the anticipated demand, we will release the locations of the reopening restaurants on the morning of each day.'

Staggering footage showed vehicles snaking up and down roads waiting to access the restaurants, with many people having to wait over two hours to get their food.

Videos soon emerged on social media, after members of the public filmed the queues in utter disbelief, including one showing a seemingly endless stretch of traffic waiting to access the McDonalds A41 Watford restaurant.

Aghast, the individual filming the video could be hear saying: 'How badly do they want a big mac. That's a two hour wait for some nuggets.'

News of McDonald's return comes as Halfords announced it will fully reopen 53 UK stores by Friday with customers allowed back inside to browse shelves.

The car parts retailer will deploy marshals to guide people throughout the shops and use 'sneeze screens' to keep people safe.

Bosses expect a surge in customers wanting to get behind the wheel of cars that have been unused for several weeks.

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/27/13/28881046-8361235-Customers_and_staff_will_be_able_to_clean_their_hands_with_sanit-a-27_1590581912972.jpg — Customers and staff will be able to clean their hands with sanitiser dispensers that will aim to ensure the cleanliness of their fast food restaurants

McDonald's customers queue 'two hours for some nuggets'

McDonald's spending cap: What can you get for £25

To keep waiting times down, McDonald's has implemented a £25 spending limit for drive-thru and delivery customers.

Say a family of four wanted to order two large meals and two Happy Meals, here is how the prices would stack up:

Large Big Mac Meal: £5.09

Large McChicken Sandwich meal £5.09

Two Happy Meals (£2.79 each) £5.58

Chicken McNuggets 20 piece sharebox: £4.99

Total: £20.75

Families can still walk away with change, although they can only pay by card, even if they were order two large meals, two kids' meals and an extra box of nuggets to share.

Source: fastfoodprice.co.uk.