THREE McDonald’s Drive-Thru restaurants in west Wiltshire have re-opened today, serving customers in cars and running the new McDelivery service - though they are still closed to restaurant customers.

The Big Mac is back at Bath Road, Chippenham, in Melksham and on the Spitfire Retail Park in Trowbridge.

The nationwide re-opening, which has been rolling out this week, followed a successful pilot scheme in May.

With restaurant teams adjusting to new procedures to enable safe working and social distancing, things may take a little longer – and high demand is anticipated. McDonald’s and its franchisees are working closely with local authorities and the police, and people are being warned that Drive Thru lanes could be closed if queues cause disruption at busier sites or put employees or customers at risk.

McDonald’s has introduced a number of changes to their restaurants, including:

• social distancing in the kitchens and service areas to help create a safe working environment;

• perspex screens at Drive-Thru windows and employees wearing protective equipment, as well as Perspex screens and floor markings in the restaurant and kitchen;

• restaurants will return with smaller teams, offering a limited menu and operating reduced hours;

• encouraging capped spend for Drive-Thru and McDelivery at £25 per order, and customers are encouraged to pay by contactless payment methods;

• for visiting Drive-Thrus, customers can browse the menu, order and pay ahead using the My McDonald’s App.

A McDonald's spokesman said: "As employees and the business adapt to a new way of working, McDonald’s would like to thank customers for their continued support and patience."

Between June 2 and 4 over 1,000 McDonald’s restaurants will have opened in the UK and Ireland for Drive-Thru or McDelivery. Restaurants openings will be published each day and can be found on the company's restaurant locator.