We've been reporting on restaurants and cafes reopening for delivery, but we're very heartened to be able to report the reopening of the Selfridges Food Hall today. It feels like one more step back towards normality, helping London prepare itself for when the lockdown is eventually lifted.
In an announcement this morning, the Oxford Street store said it was reopening to serve the local community. They'll also be making it easy for key workers in central London to shop there with NHS, health and social care workers given free use of the store's carpark, a dedicated entrance and fast track check out.
Once inside, customers will be able to stock up on fresh produce from the greengrocer, bakery, butcher and fishmonger plus, for the first time, food boxes and make-your-own kits including Bake-Your-Own Bread, Make-your-own Pizza Kit and At-Home-Pasta Kit. Selfridges will also be selling a range of household and pharmacy items.
As for safety measures, there will be a limit to the number of customers in store at any one time, a one way shopping system to help maintain social distancing and hand sanitiser stations. Items from the butchers, fishmongers and bakery will be pre-prepared and packaged. Any leftovers at the end of the day will be donated to one of three charities; City Harvest, The Little Things and HEROES+.
If you happen to be in the area this weekend (obviously, because you live or work there), all customers will be offered the chance to pick a fresh, yellow posy from the flower stall as they leave. Plus, shoppers are being asked to nominate someone in their local community who has carried out an act of kindness to be in with a chance of winning a fridge full of food, which is a rather lovely idea. They'll also be giving a free fridge of food to one of the food hall staff members each week.
More about Selfridges
Where? 400 Oxford St, Marylebone, London W1A 1AB
When?:The store's food hall reopens 1 May 2020 with reduced opening hours, 10am until 6pm daily (11am – 5pm Sunday). .
Find out more: Visit their website.
Subscribe to be the first to get the news from Hot Dinners
