Coffee lovers queue for over an hour at Northampton drive-thru to get their Saturday Starbucks fix

Coffee lovers were queuing for over an hour today, Saturday, to get their caffeine fix from the recently reopened Starbucks drive-thru in Northampton.

Queues were round the car park at St James Retail Park at Starbucks, which reopened on Thursday for the first time in nearly eight weeks.

The site was one of only 150 out of 1,000 that were reopened.

A Starbucks spokesman said: "With the easing of restrictions allowing more travel on roads, from today we're beginning a phased reopening, starting with drive-thru and select takeaway-only stores.

"As has been the case since the onset of the outbreak, we continue to make every decision with the safety of our partners (employees) and customers as our greatest priority.

"During our closure we have been testing and refining our new operational plans and upweighted safety procedures, drawing where we can on the successes our global teams have seen in China where 90 per cent of stores are now open, and the USA where we have 85 per cent of our stores open.

"And, as a small gesture of gratitude for everything NHS workers have and continue to do, we’re offering a free tall beverage of their choice.

"All stores will be serving a near-complete beverage menu, with everything from Lattes to Cappuccinos, Iced Coffees and Teas to Frappuccinos. Food will also be on offer but with a slightly more restricted menu, focused on our most popular items."