Latest news with #PretAManger
Metro
7 days ago
- Metro
Man jailed for 12 years after beating neighbour, 75, to death over a garden gate
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A man who beat his neighbour to death over closing a garden gate has been jailed for 12 years. Trevor Gocan attacked 79-year-old James O'Neill near their homes in Covent Garden, central London, last October. He punched the pensioner so hard in the head that he suffered a bleed on the brain, and he died in hospital two weeks after the attack. Gocan, 54, left Mr O'Neill bleeding on the ground near the home he had lived in for more than 40 years. His wife Sara raised the alarm when Mr O'Neill failed to return home in time for their weekly Sunday roast. She looked over the balcony to see if she could spot him and found him on the ground. Gocan was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter last month and today he appearedat Southwark crown court where he was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Two thirds of his sentence will be served in prison before he can be considered for release on licence. The pair argued after O'Neill left a gate open on their estate, before Gocan struck out at his elderly victim. Gocan was on his way to buy a sandwich at Pret A Manger while Mr O'Neill was on his way to buy a newspaper and go for a walk to 'earn' his Sunday roast. During the trial, Gocan claimed he acted in self defence. He also said after attacking Mr O'Neill he went home and fed his cat. CCTV showed the attack lasted for less than 90 seconds before Mr O'Neill fell to the ground with serious injuries. Judge Sally-Ann Hales KC said told Gocan: 'Your unlawful actions caused the death of Jim O'Neill, a much-loved father and grandfather. 'You did not need to defend yourself – the truth is, you lost your temper and control. You walked away. Mr O'Neill did not. 'He was much older than you. In his shorts and Crocs, he presented no serious threat. Had you genuinely felt threatened, you could have walked away.' More Trending Mr and Mrs O'Neill were married for 49 years, and in a statement read in court his widow said he was 'not only my husband but my soulmate'. She put their flat on the market, feeling unable to continue to live in the home they had shared. Mrs O'Neill added: 'I feel depressed, often crying, haunted by dark thoughts. 'I struggle to sleep and have recurring nightmares witnessing the love of my life bleeding on the floor.' Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ Or you can submit your videos and pictures here. For more stories like this, check our news page. Follow on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. MORE: Six places which could be safe if World War Three erupts – including two in UK MORE: Vietnam veteran's last words before execution after 47 years on death row MORE: Manhunt for three men on the run after they escape from Springhill Prison
South China Morning Post
24-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
From lunches on the go to gourmet chocolates, InvestHK powers F&B success in Hong Kong
Hong Kong has long enjoyed a well-deserved reputation for the quality and variety of its food and beverage (F&B) scene, making the city a logical first stop for international brands looking to establish a base in Asia from which to expand. Many factors attract them, ranging from cosmopolitan customers ready to try new tastes and experiences, to the business-friendly environment and the comparative ease of getting everything up and running. In the latter instance, much credit is due to InvestHK, the government agency responsible for providing inbound investors with practical advice and guidance. Typically, that can include assistance with anything from finding suitable premises and meeting potential partners, to understanding local tax rules and recruiting staff. Such support can make all the difference by anticipating problems, outlining solutions and accelerating progress from initial concept to first-day operations. When companies plan to open outlets or eye opportunities for branching out in mainland China or around the region, they can still turn to the InvestHK team for expert input on useful contacts, consumer trends, alternative business models, prospective financial backers – and much else. Two high-profile international brands, Pret A Manger and La Maison du Chocolat, serve as clear examples. While specialising in different areas of the broad F&B sector, each has built a successful chain of stores in Hong Kong, while they have both been able to innovate and capitalise on the city's many advantages as a launch pad for expansion further afield. Pret A Manger serves fresh, on-the-go meals for travellers passing through Hong Kong International Airport. 'Hong Kong was the ideal choice for our first Asian store and regional headquarters due to its vibrant market and diverse consumer base,' says Eira Jarvis, managing director, Asia, Pret A Manger. 'Since we opened here in 2002, it has been invigorating to operate in such an entrepreneurial city, which attracts global talent and is where customers are hungry for new trends.'
Scottish Sun
21-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Major café chain with 473 locations in UK to shut busy branch just 3 years after it reopened with staff ‘left in tears'
Shoppers have been left stunned as the chain announced the shock closure HAS BEAN Major café chain with 473 locations in UK to shut busy branch just 3 years after it reopened with staff 'left in tears' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR café chain with 473 locations in the UK is due to shut a popular branch with staff 'left in tears'. Pret A Manger has announced its closing the store, just three years after it re-opened. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The closure of the branch has seen staff 'left in tears' Credit: Getty - Contributor The Gallowtree Gate branch in Leicester City Centre, initially closed in 2020 due to "the effects of the pandemic". However, it made a shock return following an announcement two years later. It re-opened on July 25, 2022 at the same location. But rumours started swirling earlier this week that the popular chain was to shut for good once again. A source told Leicestershire Live that staff were told on Thursday and that there were "lots of tears". A spokesperson for Pret A Manger confirmed that they will be leaving Leister for a second time. They did not give a specific date for the closure but it is expected to be some time in July. They said: "It has been a pleasure serving our customers at Pret's Gallowtree Gate shop in Leicester. "Closing a shop is never a decision we take lightly, and our priority now is supporting our team members." Shoppers were recently stunned when another Pret A Manager branch suddenly closed with no warning in April. The store in Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, caught loyal customers by surprise and had been a well-loved part of the outlet centre for years. Another chain, Starbucks, which has over 1,000 UK venues also abruptly pulled the plug on one of its stores in Oxford last month. Pret opened its first shop in London in 1986 and the chain employs 12,500 staff in more than 700 locations across 21 countries. The Sun reported previously reported that Pret's owner, Luxembourg-based Jab Holding, was planning a stock market flotation and could consider selling a stake in the business first. JAB, which also owns Krispy Kreme doughnuts and Keurig Dr Pepper, has ambitions in the insurance and asset management industry and wants to reduce its reliance on the consumer sector. The chain came under fire from customers in April following sweeping changes to its Club Pret subscription. Once offering five free barista-made drinks a day for £30 a month, members now only receive 50 per cent off five drinks a day instead.
The Sun
21-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Major café chain with 473 locations in UK to shut busy branch just 3 years after it reopened with staff ‘left in tears'
A MAJOR café chain with 473 locations in the UK is due to shut a popular branch with staff 'left in tears'. Pret A Manger has announced its closing the store, just three years after it re-opened. 1 The Gallowtree Gate branch in Leicester City Centre, initially closed in 2020 due to "the effects of the pandemic". However, it made a shock return following an announcement two years later. It re-opened on July 25, 2022 at the same location. But rumours started swirling earlier this week that the popular chain was to shut for good once again. A source told Leicestershire Live that staff were told on Thursday and that there were "lots of tears". A spokesperson for Pret A Manger confirmed that they will be leaving Leister for a second time. They did not give a specific date for the closure but it is expected to be some time in July. They said: "It has been a pleasure serving our customers at Pret's Gallowtree Gate shop in Leicester. "Closing a shop is never a decision we take lightly, and our priority now is supporting our team members." Shoppers were recently stunned when another Pret A Manager branch suddenly closed with no warning in April. The store in Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, caught loyal customers by surprise and had been a well-loved part of the outlet centre for years. Another chain, Starbucks, which has over 1,000 UK venues also abruptly pulled the plug on one of its stores in Oxford last month. Pret opened its first shop in London in 1986 and the chain employs 12,500 staff in more than 700 locations across 21 countries. The Sun reported previously reported that Pret's owner, Luxembourg-based Jab Holding, was planning a stock market flotation and could consider selling a stake in the business first. JAB, which also owns Krispy Kreme doughnuts and Keurig Dr Pepper, has ambitions in the insurance and asset management industry and wants to reduce its reliance on the consumer sector. The chain came under fire from customers in April following sweeping changes to its Club Pret subscription. Once offering five free barista-made drinks a day for £30 a month, members now only receive 50 per cent off five drinks a day instead. By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out. Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation. Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's closing branches. Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs. Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon. Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pret targets small-town Britain with launch of slower-paced cafes
Pret A Manger is to serve freshly made food on porcelain plates at sit-down cafes as it expands into small-town Britain. The London-headquartered chain has announced plans to trial new cafes that feel more like restaurants than takeaway shops, with food prepared to order behind a counter. Clare Clough, the chain's UK boss, said Pret wanted to become more of 'a destination for customers in a bit less of a rush who want a comfortable space to enjoy delicious food and spend time with family and friends'. Though widely known for its prevalence in London and its popularity among commuters, Pret has in recent years been focusing on suburban and remote areas – forcing it to adapt its stores to appeal to older customers and families, instead of busy workers. This month, it will open two cafes in Dundee and Maidenhead featuring more comfortable seating, a new menu and fewer fridges. Instead of chilled baguettes, the new sites will sell more hot products such as meatball and red pepper tapenade subs and sourdough toasties. While customers will be served food on porcelain crockery, they will still have to collect their orders from the counter in a manner similar to rivals such as Costa Coffee and Gail's. The focus on suburbs and more remote areas comes after Pret's city centre stores struggled during the pandemic and, since then, with the rise of working from home. More than 80pc of the sites it has opened since 2023 have been outside of London. The strategy has paid off, with Pret's revenues topping a record £1bn in 2023. A push to grow the business internationally in Europe and the US has also borne fruit after New York became its second-highest-grossing city outside London. However, it has struggled to stay profitable and faced criticism for raising prices. The chain has also come under pressure from both cheaper rivals and more expensive competitors in its London heartlands following the pandemic, spurring it to consider how it can broaden its appeal. Simon Stenning, hospitality industry expert and director of Future Foodservice, said: 'The competition has expanded, providing Pret customers with more options and more choice. 'And they're being challenged at the value-end of the spectrum with Greggs increasing their presence in London. 'I think it is Pret realising that, given their predicament of becoming very expensive for products which are better than standard but still fall a little short of the alternatives that are available to consumers, they need to shift the dial. 'You're not comparing a baguette from a chilled Pret cabinet with a baguette from a Greggs or a Sainsbury's cabinet now. What you're doing is comparing it to a baguette made freshly for you in a nice cafe environment or a bakery.' In 2015, the chain trialled evening meals at its flagship site on London's Strand. Called 'Good Evening with Pret', it sold wine and beers alongside a menu of small plates. The idea was never rolled out more widely. Last week, it emerged that JAB Holding, Pret's Luxembourg-headquartered private-equity backer, had appointed advisers to explore options for the chain, including a potential stock market float or bringing in another investor to shore up its finances. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
