A HUGELY-POPULAR fast food chain has reopened its restaurants for takeaway for the first time in three months... much to the delight of its hungry and devoted customers

From today, McDonald’s customers will be able to visit sites in Brighton, Eastbourne and Shoreham to get their hands on a variety of tasty treats such as a Big Mac or a quarterpounder with cheese.

The restaurants have been closed since the UK plunged into lockdown in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, with some drive-through sites winding up their shutters last month to offer hungry customers a limited menu.

But now they will be able to walk in and order at venues across Sussex including McDonald’s branches in Shoreham, The Arndale Centre in Eastbourne and the Western Road, London Road and Churchill Square sites in Brighton.

These are just some of more than 200 to reopen across the UK and Ireland.

New measures have been introduced inside the stores to ensure people are able to stick to social distancing guidelines while they are waiting for their orders.

Signposting and floor markers will be used to direct customers in a one-way system around the restaurant floor.

There will also be a limited number of people allowed inside each site at any one time, with this number varying on each restaurant’s size and layout.

Customers will be asked to sanitise their hands at cleaning stations which have been placed around all McDonald’s venues.

Operation

Self-order screens will remain, but fewer will be in operation and these will be sanitised every 30 minutes.

Customers are encouraged to visit the restaurant alone to collect their order, and all seating areas, customer toilets, lifts, play areas and digital play areas will remain closed.

A McDonald’s spokeswoman also urged, “to help protect employees and other customers”, that people did not visit the company’s restaurants if they felt unwell.

Some food items will still be unavailable, with all kitchens offering a reduced menu, and the restaurants will be open from 11am to 10pm.

The McDonald’s spokeswoman added: “As employees and the business adapt to a new way of working, McDonald’s would like to thank customers for their continued support and patience.

“Customers are reminded to adhere to the guidance from the Government and health authorities.

“That applies especially if queuing outside restaurants before there is space to enter.

“More than 200 McDonald’s restaurants have now reopened their doors in the UK and Ireland for takeaway, joining more than 1,000 restaurants now open for drive-through or McDelivery.

“Restaurants that have reopened can be found online via the McDonald’s restaurant locator.

“We cannot wait to welcome all of our loyal customers back and look forward to them visiting us to pick up their favourites.”