Nandos has closed its doors to diners in Worcester today as the store becomes the latest to be hit by national food shortages.

The cheeky chicken outlet, which is located at the top of Friar Street, is only offering a takeaway option until further notice, with a reduced menu in place. 

This comes after a lack of staff at suppliers and a reduced number of lorry drivers has led to a shortage of chicken that has so far seen as many as 50 restaurants across the country temporarily close.

Speaking to the Worcester News, a representative from the Worcester branch said: "We only have burgers, pittas, and double-breast today, which is why we're only offering a takeaway option. 

Worcester News:

"We may be back to normal this week, but that completely depends on what comes in on our deliveries over the next few days."

Customers can still visit the store to place their orders but won't be allowed to dine in. 

Alternatively, those who are craving some peri-peri can place orders directly through the Nandos website or through the Deliveroo app.

A poultry industry source told the PA news agency that warnings last month that EU worker rules and logistics issues would continue to hit food supply had not been heeded.

"We raised this issue with Government many weeks ago and nothing significant has happened since, so it is clearly not going away," he said.

"We need new workers to come on board to cope with this demand, and while Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has been helpful, the issue is with the Home Office.

"There are shortages fluctuating between 10% and 20% of staff, so we need some emergency changes get workers overseas who can fill this gap."

Nando’s said it has seconded around 70 staff to suppliers to help with supply issues, but industry sources said this "will not touch the sides".

The industry executive added that the "complexity" of requirements for products ordered by the like of Nando’s and KFC means they will face greater levels of disruption from staff shortages than supermarkets.

A Nando’s spokeswoman said: "The UK food industry has been experiencing disruption across its supply chain in recent weeks due to staff shortages and a number of our restaurants have been impacted.

"However, since Monday, a team of our brilliant Nandocas have been supporting our key suppliers onsite – working in partnership to help get things moving again, and this has already had a positive impact on affected restaurants.

"From this Saturday, as a result of the hard work behind the scenes, it is our intention that all of our restaurants will be open again, and all our customers can enjoy their favourite peri-peri chicken."

The shortages at Nando’s come weeks after rival KFC warned that supply chain issues meant it was unable to stock some menu items.