Greene King launches delivery and takeaway services amid pandemic

Pub company and brewer Greene King has announced the launch of its delivery and takeaway service from a select number of its London sites.

The group, which has over 3,000 pubs, hotels and restaurants across the UK, will be reopening 29 of its sites from next week (22 May) amid the Covid-19 crisis and will be offering a combination of food delivery, via Deliveroo, as well as a click and collect takeaway service.

The pubs will offer a tailored takeaway and delivery menu, suitable for transportation, which will include gastro pub dishes such as beer-battered haddock fish and chips and Turner and George beef burger, with a range of roasts available Sundays.

The company has said strict guidelines are being introduced so that the health and safety of team members, customers and delivery riders are protected at all times. 

In addition to following government guidance on social distancing and provision of PPE, further hygiene and safety rules for those working in and entering the pubs for collection of orders are being implemented. 

This includes separate entrances for delivery drivers, a one-way system for customers to collect orders, online payment, social distancing floor guidance and hand sanitiser at the entrances of the pub.

Nick Mackenzie said: “We have been bringing the pub into people’s homes virtually through our online pub The Lock Inn and via the Greene King Shop beer delivery service throughout this period of closure and are delighted that we are now able to bring British pub dishes to our customers too. 

“We have selected pubs carefully for this initial roll out based on suitable layout of pubs as we ensure we not only adhere to all government guidance but further precautions we are choosing to implement too.”

He added: “It’s important for us that our team feel safe in the workplace so we have consulted them every step of the way, giving the option to return to work for those who work in these selected pubs if their personal circumstances allow.”

The news comes as Greene King has announced the launch of a support fund in partnership with the Licensed Trade Charity to help team members affected by the Covid-19 crisis.

The ‘team member support fund’ will be set-up with an initial donation of £300,000 from Greene King. The funds have been raised from a combination of voluntary salary sacrifices from the executive board and directors at the company and a company donation.