Cake Box reopens 79 franchise stores

Egg-free cake retailer Cake Box said on Monday that 79 of its franchise stores are now open and that it expects the full high street estate to be open by early June.

The company, which closed its doors on 24 March after the coronavirus lockdown was announced, said it was able to put in place new processes which will allow all of its franchise stores to operate safely and in line government guidance.

These include operating with smaller teams in store to allow for social distancing, clear demarcation of required social distancing throughout the premises and staff wearing personal protective equipment including face masks and shields. It also includes the implementation of an enhanced personal and property hygiene regime.

"Following an initial trial, limited to a number of stores operating our Click & Collect service and delivery in partnership with select online platforms, the effective implementation of these new processes has meant that the group has, with confidence, been able to inform its franchise stores that they are able to resume trading at the discretion of the individual franchisee."

Initial demand from customers has been "encouraging", it said, albeit at much lower levels than in normal trading conditions given the ongoing restrictions. The franchise stores that are open offer a limited menu of products.