Greggs said it planned to reopen 800 shops on Thursday, June 18, with “new procedures and equipment” in place to protect staff and customers, following successful trials of new social distancing and hygiene measures in a small number of stores in May.

The baking chain said that due to coronavirus it had “temporarily suspended our new shop opening programme”, accelerated the rollout of its delivery and click-and-collect services and was in discussion with landlords over rent reductions.

Having made its full quarterly rent payments in March, Greggs said it planned to move to monthly rent payments.