Wagamama prepares to re-open restaurants closed during lockdown

The pan-Asian restaurant chain launched a trial at some restaurants earlier this month after being forced to shut its doors to customers due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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It said it will now rapidly expand its delivery service after the ‘successful’ trials in London and Leeds.

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It will reopen 24 sites this Thursday, with a further 20 reopening on Thursday, May 28.

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The chain said it hopes to have 49 sites open for delivery by the start of June, with this expanding to 67 by the end of the month.

Wagamama said it has devised a schedule of reopening new sites that will allow staff to slowly return to delivery-only work at their own discretion.

Emma Woods, Wagamama’s chief executive, said: “Over the past couple of months our focus has been on creating a safe working environment for our team members and our two-week trial has enabled our teams to return to work safely.

“The next logical step for us is to open additional sites throughout the UK, this will still very much form a test and learn approach for thebusiness.

“The response of our return has been extremely positive and we look forward to our guests being able to get their Wagamama fix.”

After lockdown restrictions were introduced, Wagamama launched Wok From Home, a free video series teaching people to cook some of its most popular dishes, such as chicken katsu curry, from home.

Lockdown measures aimed at reducing the spread of coronavirus are gradually being relaxed.

Some people have been allowed back to work and a number of restaurants and fast food outlets have re-opened for drive-thru, collections and deliveries.

The following sites will open first on Thursday: IslingtonGreat Marlborough StreetHampsteadHammersmithGreat North FinchleyCambridgeManchester SpinningfieldsLiverpoolDidsburyNottingham Reigate (including take-outSt AlbansNewcastleSheffield City CentreFulham BroadwayWimbledonPutneyEalingWandsworthKingstonRichmondVictoriaBorough MarketCroydon