Pret a Manger set to open first store in Northern Ireland

Turn any corner in London and you’ll come across a Pret – now the popular coffee chain is moving into Northern Ireland, having already started its move into Ireland.

The chain which has already opened two stores in Dublin are understood to have agreed terms for a unit in Belfast as part of their expansion plans. Founded in London in 1983, the company gets it’s name from the French translation of ‘ready to eat’.

Pret gained popularity with their monthly subscription service which offers customers five drinks per day for one monthly price.

It is also understood that Canadian fast food chain Mary Brown’s Chicken have lease agreed a number of sites in Northern Ireland for what will be their first international locations.

Property firm CBRE said that the fast food and drive thru market remains particularly active in Northern Ireland.

However, in their latest report the firm has warned that without decisive political impetus, the Northern Ireland market will continue to face significant challenges.