The international franchising giant will shut all of its locations across the U.K., and is being joined by prominent brands like Costa and Nando’s.
McDonald’s has announced that all 1,270 of its U.K. locations will close by 7pm GMT on Monday, March 23, 2020, as a way to combat spread of coronavirus. U.K.-based coffee chain Costa will also close its 2,000-plus sites, as well as Nando’s, which has closed around 400 restaurants in the U.K. “until further notice”.
This news follows last Friday’s announcement from Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in which it was stated that all restaurants must close, though take-away offerings were exempt from the mandated shutdown.
An update from McDonald’s UK and Ireland — See you soon pic.twitter.com/43moFRrWRR
— McDonald’s UK (@McDonaldsUK) March 22, 2020
Speaking with the BBC, Paul Pomroy, McDonald’s’ U.K. boss, said: “Over the last 24 hours, it has become clear that maintaining safe social distancing whilst operating busy takeaway and Drive Thru restaurants is increasingly difficult and therefore we have taken the decision to close every restaurant in the U.K. and Ireland by 7pm on Monday 23 March.
“I have been clear throughout this that we would only continue to operate whilst it was safe for our people and together with our franchisees, we feel now is the time to make this decision.”
McDonald’s currently employs around 135,000 people in the U.K.; the majority of which are on zero-hour contracts. The brand has stated that those employed directly will receive their full pay for scheduled hours until 5 April, at which time the U.K. government’s financial aid package will be in effect, with staff then paid 80 per cent of their wages.
IMAGE: JessicaGirvan1
