McDonald’s to reopen around 700 UK restaurants for dine-in this week

Some of the fast food chain’s restaurants will participate in new ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme

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McDonald’s has announced plans to reopen hundreds of restaurants for dine-in services across the UK from this week.

Last week, it was reported that the fast food chain was testing safety measures as it moved towards reopening dine-in restaurants in the near future.

The firm has now stated that around 700 restaurants across the UK will be reopened for dine-in customers from Wednesday 22 July.

This move excludes chains in Wales, where eating in restaurants is currently restricted.

When the restaurants reopen for dine-in customers, some of the franchises will be able to participate in chancellor Rishi Sunak’s “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme.

The scheme, which is due to come into effect in August, will allow everyone in England to claim 50 per cent off their meals when they dine in participating restaurants.

The discount will allow customers a maximum discount of £10 off per diner, including children, and will apply on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the month.

Customers will be served via a table service when dining in at McDonald’s restaurants.

They will be able to order their food either through the McDonald’s app or at the fast food restaurants’ tills or kiosks.

McDonald’s restaurants are already open across the UK for drive-through and takeaway diners.

Speaking of the move to reopen dine-in restaurants, the firm said: “Social distancing measures will be in place and, to prevent congestion, the restaurant will carefully manage the number of customers inside.

“When arriving, customers will be asked to use the hand sanitiser provided and follow the safety measures laid out in restaurants to help keep them, other customers and restaurant teams safe.”

Customers who dine in at McDonald’s will also be asked to use their smartphones to leave their contact details.

Following the government’s announced that the VAT on hospitality and tourism would be reduced from 20 per cent to 5 per cent from 15 July to 12 January 2021, McDonald’s has recommended that all restaurants reduce the price of popular items and meal deals on the menus.

The company said it plans on reducing the price of Happy Meals by 30p, in addition to cutting the cost of breakfast meals by 50p.

McDonald’s has also recommended that staple items on its menu, including Big Macs, Quarter Pounders and McNuggets, be reduced in price.