Loungers: ‘We will trade profitably post-lockdown’

Loungers has said that it plans to reopen the majority of its sites in July, being well positioned to trade profitably in a post-lockdown environment.

The group said it has currently reopened 17 of its Lounge sites offering a ‘From our Lounge to your Lounge’ takeaway service - with a further 10 sites opening next week - whilst simultaneously preparing for dine-in reopening as soon as it is safe to do so.

Having surveyed a significant number of its customers (of both Lounge and Cosy Club), the group found that out of 6,000 respondents, only 2% said they would not be comfortable resuming their normal visits when Government restrictions were lifted.

To accommodate as many people as possible, the group is in the process of planning revised layouts and removing surplus furniture from its sites.

It said it anticipates being able to trade profitably with distancing rules in place, although the difference between one and two metres may mean delaying the reopening of some of its smaller sites.

The business has also looked to develop several aspects of its service model. Upon reopening, it will trial order-and-table technology, a reduced menu size and an entirely cashless payment system.

With a versatile all-day menu, value for money offering, and sites in suburban locations - the majority of its sites are not in central London, transport hubs or tourism hot spots - the business said it is optimistic with regards to the future and expects to benefit from more home working.

In an update to the London Stock Exchange, the company said it has “used this time constructively and positively.”

“As full re-opening gets closer, and with the valuable intelligence we have gained from participating in the latter stages of the lockdown, we believe we are in a strong position and look forward to the future.”