Greggs is hoping to reopen more than one third of its shops by the middle of next month.

The high street bakery chain is running trials in selected outlets in the north east on safety measures with a view to opening around June 15 when coronavirus restrictions are relaxed on non-essential retailers.

Greggs has around 2,050 shops across the UK with about 800 understood to be in line to reopen.

A Greggs spokesman said: "We have planned and delivered robust shop trials using our new operational safety measures and they have progressed well, allowing us to now move to open an increased number of shops from mid-June."

Most restaurants, cafes and food outlets will have to wait until July 4 before they can reopen fully, but they have been able to offer takeaway and delivery services throughout the lockdown.

McDonald's started reopening a small number of restaurants earlier this month with Starbucks reopening 150 outlets and Nando's' Costa and Burger King offering limited takeaway services.

Many leading high street names are planning to return to action following Prime Minister Boris Johnson's announcement of the June 15 date.

Both Marks and Spencer and Boots are looking at reopening more floor space having stayed open for their food and pharmacy departments, while John Lewis is planning a phased reopening.

Next has said it will open its larger out of town stores first as they offering more space for social distancing inside and out, while Ikea will begin reopening its shops from June 1.

Frasers Group, which owns Sports Direct, Game, Jack Wills and House of Fraser, said it was ready to reopen on June 1 but will have to wait two weeks after the Prime Minister's announcements.