// Hotel Chocolat offers NHS workers a 50% discount as a “thank you” for their work during coronavirus pandemic
// Stores might be turned into delivery operation points
Hotel Chocolat is offering every NHS worker a 50 per cent discount on its products in store, as a “thank you” for their work during the coronavirus outbreak.
The chocolate retailer follows similar moves from Pret, McDonald’s and hotel chains, which are offering discounts, free drinks and accommodation for key health workers.
“Our locations are so close to so many major hospitals, it made sense for us to do something”, Hotel Chocolat chief executive Angus Thirlwell said.
READ MORE: Coronavirus: Hotel Chocolat launches £20m fundraising round
“That’s why any NHS worker can get a 50 per cent discount in our stores with presentation of their pass.
“We hope when the day’s over they can have a chocolate or two to relax.”
In preparation for a potential shutdown, Thirlwell added that he was planning to turn stores into delivery operations, making drop-offs from local stores to residents.
Several businesses have already stepped up, offering resources and services to assist with the Covid-19 outbreak, and the government has been asking factories whether they can produce extra ventilators.
The move by Hotel Chocolat came as the company revealed it raised £22 million on the stock market on Friday through the issuing of new shares.
This included Thirlwell and his co-founder Peter Harris spending £2 million each on the buy-in.
The retailer said there had been “strong demand from existing shareholders and other high-quality institutional investors”.
with PA Wires
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