HUNGRY Brits are being met with empty supermarket shelves and reduced food and drink menus as the pandemic and Brexit causes supply chain issues.
Here are the shops, takeaways and restaurants facing delivery delays.
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A lorry driver shortage across the UK is causing empty supermarket shelves and has forced many restaurants, takeaways and coffee shops to take items off the menu.
The shortage is blamed on a range of factors such as staff self-isolating due to Covid and European drivers returning home after Brexit.
Tesco and Iceland bosses warned about delivery delays this week, highlighting possible issues with Christmas food shortages as supermarkets may not have the capacity to build up festive stock.
Iceland chief executive Richard Walker said there have been issues with deliveries of bread and soft drinks.
Steve Murrells, the Co-op’s chief executive, told The Times that supermarket shortages are the worst he’s ever seen and that supermarkets are reducing their ranges because of the issues.
Fast food chains are also suffering from supplier issues.
Nandos was forced to close nearly 50 branches after running out of chicken last week but managed to reopen after sending 70 staff members to work in the factories.
KFC has said some menu items will be unavailable due to the disruption and McDonald’s this week warned of a nation-wide shortage of milkshakes at its more than 1,000 restaurants.
Sandwich shop chain Subway yesterday said it has seen “minor supply chain shortages.”
Frustrated customers have also complained about a lack of decaffeinated coffee and salads at Costa.
A spokesperson for Costa said: “Like many other businesses, we are currently experiencing some stock shortages and as a result some items may be temporarily unavailable.
“We apologise for any disappointment or inconvenience caused to our customers.”
Pasty problems at Greggs
Disappointed Greggs customers have been posting images on social media of empty shelves at the bakery’s chains.
This included empty sandwich shelves at a Gregg’s store in central London.
Its popular chicken bakes have reportedly been affected.
Greggs denied this but confirmed that supply chain issues had resulted in shortages of some items and ingredients.
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A spokesperson for Greggs said: “There are no current supply issues with our chicken bakes and our customers can continue to enjoy these as they usually would.
“Unfortunately, like others , we’re seeing temporary interruptions in supply for some ingredients which occasionally results in shops not being able to maintain full availability on all lines.
“However, we have a wide range of choices in our menu for customers happy to buy an alternative.”
Bottled water and fresh fruit and veg are among the products that have been missing from shelves.
School dinners may also be under threat due to the shortages.
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McDonald’s branches run out of milkshakes and bottled drinks in nationwide shortage
