Of all the high-street cafes, Pret a Manger has always been a classic lunchtime favourite. With Twickenham’s Heath Road and King Street already having all the big names, it seemed about time that the local area had its own Pret, and one opened at the end of March.

 

Changes to working practices in lockdown took a heavy toll on the sandwich retail chain; Pret closed 30 stores and axed thousands of jobs early in the pandemic. In an attempt at a comeback, the company plans to open 200 new shops across the UK over the next two years after receiving a £100m cash injection, and wishes to double its presence across the country in the next five years. 

 

Their new Twickenham branch is a tactical stepping-stone towards Pret’s goal: situated in the attractive riverside locale and a mere five minute walk from the station, the cafe is but a step (or click!) away from a free promotional photo by one of the many passing millennials to their instagram. 

 

Pret might not be the cheapest option, but positions itself as the perfect lunch for those who want something a little more boujee than a Tesco meal deal, but not as pricey as a sit-down meal at Zizzi. The nutritious value of Pret is of particular importance to teens of the local schools to Twickenham; with the high street being stand-out for its fast-food chains such as Subway and KFC, it gives another nourishing option to college and sixth form students who have the freedom to venture beyond the canteen for lunch.

 

Local sixth-former Keira Bullen commented on her reaction to the new store: “Pret will always be my favourite sandwich shop. Not only is this new store inviting in its facade being so similar to Waterstones (situated directly next to the new Pret), but it also gives me an option other than my wrap and crisps from the Tesco across the street.”

 

When asked if she minded spending a little more on her lunch, she responded: “You really do get the quality for the price with Pret though. On the upside, being allowed to go out for food in sixth form is all about establishing that bit more independence before we go to uni, and I can learn from going to different shops how to manage my budget.” 

 

It seems that the new Pret a Manger will bring benefits to Twickenham’s community: with its wholesome meals and the general excitement of locals in the run up to its opening, it will give a welcome boost to post-pandemic Twickenham.