Pret A Manger asks staff to reduce hours after reporting 80% fall in trade

Pret a Manger has asked staff to work fewer hours in a bid to preserve jobs as it continues to suffer from a substantial downturn in trade.

The grab-and-go giant said trade continued to be 65% down on pre-Covid levels across the country, rising to 80% in London, where “challenges are most acute”. The majority of its estate is operating reduced operating hours since reopening.

A Pret spokesperson said: “Our biggest priority is to do everything we can to save jobs. With footfall in our shops still significantly below normal levels, we have had to review the hours team members are contracted to work each week – although of course we hope to increase these hours as trade improves. By making these changes we are able to save a large number of roles.”

Last month Pret said it would restructure the business in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, with 30 outlets earmarked for closure.

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