See the long queues as several takeaways reopen for first time since lockdown in Hartlepool

Branches of KFC, Burger King, Starbucks, Subway and a fish and chip shop at Seaton Carew have all reopened in some form after the Government this week urged people to return to work and gave people more freedom to go out.

Big queues of cars could be seen waiting to use the drive thru at Burger King on Tees Bay Retail Park which reopened on Thursday, May 14.

And at KFC in Hartlepool, waiting vehicles stretched down The Lanyard and all around the Travelodge to collect their orders.

Starbucks at Stranton opened for collections at the door only, with customers not allowed to sit inside yet.

And Subway on Belle Vue Way is open again, one of 600 across the country the chain reopened on Thursday.

Branches of McDonalds in Hartlepool remain temporarily closed.

The Almighty Cod reopened to visitors for the first time since the March 23 lockdown with customers having to observe social distancing and is operating a ‘one in one out’ policy.

It said on its Facebook page: “We’ve been working with environment health to get everything in place for today.

“We are following all government guidelines, one in one out policy, 2m distancing using appropriate PPE to ensure the safety and protection of our staff and customers.”

On Wednesday, Hartlepool Household Waste and Recycling Centre, and Seaton Golf Club opened for business again but with a number of restrictions.

Despite the easing of the lockdown, officials in Hartlepool have urged people to still stay at home as much as possible as the data suggests the town has not yet passed its peak.

Hartlepool Borough Council is asking visitors and holidaymakers to stay away from the coastline for now.

Director of Public Heath for Hartlepool Dr Patricia Riordan said: “Unfortunately, Hartlepool’s trajectory has noticeably increased recently and cases are continuing to increase at a rate which would suggest we have not reached our peak.

“It’s for this reason we are having to urge visitors and day trippers to stay away.”

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