These were the scenes as Greggs re-opened its branches in Chesterfield today

The company announced plans to reopen around 800 shops for takeaways from Thursday, including three in Chesterfield.

The firm says it aims to welcome customers back to its remaining 1,000 sites by early July.

It appeared to be a quiet start in Chesterfield, with rain keeping customers away from town centre branches.

Bosses have unveiled new-look stores with floor markings, protective clothes for staff and screens at counters among several measures to protect against coronavirus spreading.

There will also be a reduced menu to ensure social distancing in kitchens and workspaces.

Greggs warned sales are likely to remain subdued as the chain copes with fewer customers allowed in stores at any one time, following a series of small-scale trials near its offices.

As a result of the expected fall in sales, an unspecified proportion of staff ‘will remain furloughed until sales levels begin returning to normal’, the company said.

The Newcastle-based business has taken a tentative approach to reopening, with management keen to avoid any rushes or overcrowding at sites following its three-month closure.

Rivals KFC and McDonald's have seen long car queues for drive-thru services and non-essential retailers were greeted with hundreds of shoppers waiting to snap up a bargain, as stores were able to reopen their doors on Monday.

Greggs had been allowed to stay open throughout the lockdown, offering takeaway and delivery services.

But bosses declined, saying it felt remaining open would compromise the safety of its employees.

A company spokesman said: “We are not able to predict the impact of social distancing on our ability to trade or on customer demand.

“However, our capacity to operate will be restricted by size of shop and we must anticipate that sales may be lower than normal for some time.”

Full list of Greggs stores opening in Chesterfield

8 Burlington St, S40 1RR

U3 Lockoford Lane, S41 7JB

38 Burlington St, S40 1RR