Good news for Kent's high streets as all Pret A Manger stores in the county have escaped closure after the chain announced a restructuring plan in the wake of Covid-19.

The sandwich chain will close 30 stores nationwide with the six in Kent narrowly avoiding the same fate.

The company, which has sites in Maidstone, Canterbury, Bluewater, Bromley, Tunbridge Wells and Ashford's Designer Outlet, decided to make the permanent closures after recent sales dived by 74% compared with the same period last year.

It has reopened 339 of its sites following lockdown, but continues to be hampered by social distancing measures and lower numbers of office workers in major cities.

It is estimated around 1,000 employees are now at risk of redundancy.

The announcement makes it the latest chain to introduce closures and job losses following the coronavirus crisis, with Upper Crust owner SSP announcing plans to cut 5,000 jobs last week after demand plunged.

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