Pret A Manger closing 30 UK stores following lockdown

Pret A Manger is to permanently close 30 stores across the UK after experiencing a severe decline in sales due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The sandwich and coffee chain is planning a widescale restructuring, with up to 1000 jobs at risk, in an effort to reflect reduced footfall.

The company said 339 of the company’s 410 shops across the UK have reopened so far as lockdown restrictions start to ease.

However, sales are down 74% compared to the same point last year.

As well as closing 30 stores by the end of this year, the number of workers in other shops will be reduced and support teams will be restructured.

Chief executive 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.”