City branch of Pret closing
LEICESTER’S Pret a Manger branch is closing, the food-to-go chain has announced.
The upmarket sandwich and coffee shop in Gallowtree Gate is one of 30 sites across the country that are closing.
It has only been open a couple of years and is currently closed as part of the Leicester lockdown.
Nationally, about 1,000 jobs are understood to be at risk, as the firm announced action after taking a hammering during the coronavirus lockdown.
The company said sales had plummeted by three-quarters over the past two months, compared to the same period last year.
Branches have been hit by a heavy fall in the number of people travelling into city centres for office work, with more people working from home due to the pandemic.
Pret said it will also reduce the number of staff working across its remaining UK stores to reflect the slump in demand.
The company said it has faced “significant operating losses” following the outbreak, despite having reopened more than 300 of its sites. Pret will soon start consultations with staff as it pushes forward with plans to shut these 30 sites in the second half of the year.
Chief executive Pano Christou said: “It’s a sad day for the whole Pret family, and I’m devastated we will be losing so many employees.
“These decisions are not a reflection on anyone’s work or commitment, but we must make these changes to succeed in the new retail environment.
“Our goal now is to bring Pret to more people, through different channels and in new ways.”