Doughnut company Krispy Kreme has today announced details of a phased reopening of its store at Blanchardstown in Dublin - its only in Ireland.

From 11am on May 20, Krispy Kreme said it will open its drive-thru to provide free hot drinks and a three-pack of glazed doughnuts for front-line workers to include healthcare workers, An Garda Síochána and the fire brigade service.

Then from May 25, the company's Drive-Thru and its store will open to the public for take-away only service. Its restaurant seating area will remain closed.

Customers in central Dublin may also be able to access delivery services via Deliveroo and Just Eat.

Krispy Kreme said its priority is always to protect its staff and customers. 

"The business has consulted with health and safety, retail and manufacturing experts to ensure a safe environment for staff and customers," the company said.

"The reopening plan incorporates health and safety procedures and protocols similar to those already in operation across some Krispy Kreme UK stores," it said. 

The company said that all of its staff have received Covid-19 reopening training and have come back to work voluntarily.

New measures to ensure safety for customers and staff include the appointment of store Covid-19 officers who will be present at all times, while two metre distancing floor and vertical signage has been installed inside and outside of the Blanchardstown store.

Counter screens to protect staff and customers have been installed at the Drive-Thru and at collection points, while staff shifts have been scheduled to ensure a minimum number of staff is required at work.

Face masks will be mandatory and the store will offer a more limited range of eight doughnut varieties.

There will also be strict limitations on the number of people allowed in the store for collection at any one time, while payments will be contactless. 

"Over the last number of weeks, together with all relevant stakeholders, we have been planning how we can adopt a phased approach to carefully and responsibly serve our customers in Ireland," commented Richard Cheshire, CEO of Krispy Kreme UK and Ireland.  

"Our priority is always to protect our staff and customers, and we now have in place a number of new health, safety and social distancing measures which align with all the government guidance," he added.