Pret A Manger to shut 30 stores, putting 1,000 jobs at risk
Pret A Manager is set to close 30 of its 410 stores as part of a post-coronavirus pandemic restructuring due to "significant operating losses".
The coffee chain is also planning job cuts to "reduce headcount across remaining UK shops to reflect lower footfall, rental costs and new safety measures".
At least 1,000 jobs are at risk from the closures, which will take place before the end of the year.
Bosses said the 300 sandwich and coffee shops it had reopened in the UK have not recovered as fast as in other countries.
The 30 shops will close permanently in the second half of this year, while staffing levels will be scaled back at other sites.
The firm said the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on trading meant it had to make a "difficult decision".
Pret said 339 of its shops have so far reopened following the easing of lockdown restrictions.
But footfall remains low and sales were 74% down from the same point last year.
Chief Executive of Pret, Pano Christou, said: "When the coronavirus crisis hit, we said that our priority was to protect our people, our customers, and of course Pret. We confirmed it was our intention to do everything we could to save jobs."
“Although we were able to do that through the lockdown, thanks in particular to the Government’s vital support, we cannot defy gravity and continue with the business model we had before the pandemic. That is why we have adapted our business and found new ways to reach our customers."
"It’s a sad day for the whole Pret family, and I’m devastated that we will be losing so many employees."
"But we must make these changes to adapt to the new retail environment."
"Our goal now is to bring Pret to more people, through different channels and in new ways, enabling us to grow once more in the medium term."
Which Pret stores are set to close?
London
St George University Kiosk
421 Strand
Heathrow Terminal 3
109 Fleet Street
Strutton Ground, Westminster
Centre Point, Tottenham Court Road
Warwick Way
Byward Street
The Cut, Southwark
41 Piccadilly
Wood Sreet, Barbican
Outside London
Worcester, 59 High Street
Nottingham, Albert Street
Cambridge, Lion Yard
Sheffield, Fargate
Uxbridge, High Street
Reading, Broad Street
High Wycombe
Gateshead Metrocentre
Peterborough, Queensgate Centre
Edinburgh, Shandwick Place
Chichester, East Street
Glasgow Fort shopping centre
Leicester, Gallowtree Gate
Shrewsbury
Lakeside, Essex
Cardiff, Capitol Centre
Newcastle, Grainger Street
Stratford-upon-Avon
Norwich, Chapelfield