NI’s first Pret seeking 20 staff for Belfast store

Pret A Manger’s first Northern Ireland outlet is  set to create 20 jobs when it opens later this year at site of the the former Patisserie Valerie on Belfast’s Donegall Square West..

While Pret has yet to announce its opening date, it said the new shop will be operated by its longstanding franchise partner Carebrook Partnership Ltd which has already lodged a planning application seeking permission to install new signage at the premises.

The shop is Pret’s fourth on the island of Ireland after opening three outlets in Dublin over the last 18 months.

The food-to-go chain last year announced its plans to open 20 stores across the island over the coming decade and  is currently seeking staff for its first Belfast outlet, including managers and baristas.

The company employees 9,900 people worldwide, with around 8,000 in the UK.

Pret A Manger’s UK and Ireland managing director, Clare Clough, said: “We’re delighted to be opening Pret’s first-ever shop in Northern Ireland as part of our ambitious plans to bring Pret to more people.

“We’ve long heard that Belfast locals and visitors would love to have a Pret, so we can’t wait to welcome them to our new shop right in the heart of the city with our longstanding franchise partner Carebrook, who has had much success operating Pret shops in the UK and on the island of Ireland.”