Pret being naughty again, using a disabled toilet as a stock room. Now, some people on social media argue that the toilet might be broken, hence using the space as stockroom. No, if the toilet was broken, it needs fixing, not used to store FOOD or DRINK inside a contaminated area meant for body fluids of all sorts.
Another argued that there might be another disabled toilet in that shop. Again, no, Pret are VERY stingy with space. If they have more than one room, they use for unisex and/or disabled, but would never have more than 1 disabled toilet. If they have enough space, they turn these into stock room, office, staff room. If Pret can get away with only one toilet for all, they will.
But several have noted that usually Pret toilets are locked with an “out of order” sign on the door, and this might be the reason why, as toilets then are used as stock rooms. Yes, that’s a possibility.
I have done a satire piece on the Pret Toilet Saga with pictures of dirty toilets and locked doors. This started during the pandemic when Pret fired many staff. But in general Pret always under-staff to maximise profit, and this means less staff to clean the toilets. And when toilets aren’t looked after regularly, customers take photos and post online. But more importantly, if the weekly mystery shopper visits and sees even the slightest issue in toilets, NO-ONE in the shop gets bonus.
Xwitter: This is not “allegedly”, you can see the Pret logo on the water bottles, and the typical Pret drinks. Just zoom into the very right, second from the bottom, large water bottle.
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Full text from Facebook:
“Disabled Toilets Are Not Storage Rooms
I saw this today posted by a fellow Duchenne parent at Pret A Manger, Trafalgar Square.
A disabled toilet — completely blocked with crates of drinks.
No space for a wheelchair.
No space for a carer.
No dignity.
No access.
For families living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, accessible toilets aren’t a luxury. They’re essential for safe transfers, continence care, medical needs, and basic dignity.
When a business uses a disabled toilet as a storage cupboard, they’re not just being careless. They’re excluding disabled people. They’re breaking accessibility law. And they’re sending a message that our children’s needs don’t matter.
Accessibility is not optional. It is a legal requirement — and a human one.
If you see this happening, speak up. If you care about inclusion, share this post.
Every disabled person deserves safe, clean, unobstructed access. Every family deserves better than this.”
End of quote.
The outrage and disgust is appropriate, many voiced by people with disabilities. I just post a few.
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I worked at Pret A Manger and survived systemic workplace bullying during bereavement that involved HR, the top leadership, HQ and even the now “retired” former CEO Clive Schlee. Schlee has been appointed CEO of itsu in 2024 by Julian Metcalfe who gave him the CEO spot at Pret many years ago. I declined 4 settlement offers if I am silent about my ordeal. But I rather speak out to help others. For an overview of important blog entries of my experience with Pret, please visit “My Ordeal with Pret A Manger”. The little arrow to the right next to each heading will lead directly to the post. An incomplete list on what other Pret staff say about Pret’s bullying environment: Caught in the Act Bullying at Pret and What shop MANAGERS & HQ staff say about Pret incl. CEO Pano Christou. I tell my story for the first time verbally in below audio player interview on a podcast by The Adam Paradox, and wrote two articles in the Scottish Left Review as well as mentioned by the BBC.
Please also see the MEDIA page for more on my work with the press.
So, I’ve gotten emails and letters from British Gas since around 6-ish months now, if not longer that my gas meter is supposed to be too old and needs replacing. They KNOW I don’t want a smart meter as I communicated this clearly and they noted this in their system.
But, companies being companies of greed and control, British Gas (BG) want to force smart meters on people. I have both gas and electric meters with BG. Smart meters can be controlled remotely and gives utility companies more power than the people using it.
They tried already to force smart electric meter on me, but I kept refusing. I did need a new electric meter 2 years ago as the screen just went blank after a short power-cut. On the phone with BG I was told from a computer script that the smart meter is free, but if I want the same old type electric meter I’d have to pay £120 or something like that, cannot remember the amount, maybe it was even £80,cannont remember.
I persisted to have my old meter and said I’d pay a £1000 for it if I needed to and to please stop trying to force smart meters on me!
I got my old type meter installed and didn’t have to pay a penny for it. End of story. For now
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As a general rule of thumb, if companies want to give us something for free, and especially if they are persistent, it is NEVER for the benefit of the customer, but ALWAYS for the company.
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Tattoo this on your brain!
Further down some of the issues. It has to do with control, market research on when people use how much of energy etc. etc.
I did some research on WHY utility companies are so penetrant to get people smart meters. At the time the Tories were in power and even though it is NOT law to force smart meters on people, they did give companies targets to reach to install smart readers (by 2030). So, utility companies constantly bombard customers with emails and letters to install smart meters. And they become really creative in their wordings.
British Gas started to send emails and also letters that I supposedly need a new gas meter. Bullsh!t
I keep ignoring these emails and letters, because there is no way to respond to them. It’s always a one-way conversation. They sent these via “no-reply” email addresses and if I want to communicate with BG, I’d need to find their official address or “book” an installation I never agreed to. But I just do it like I do with the TV License threat letters, and that is, to NOT respond. I do NOT watch any live TV nor BBC, I don’t need a licence, but responding to TV Licence would increase the harassment as it is about SELLING something to people who don’t need it.
Same with British Gas, they now changed their wordings AND say while they’re at it, they will also change my electric meter. Oh, no you won’t.
The psychological wording is made in bold by them, at the bottom, mentioning the law. But this is typical fear mongering.
I submit my gas meter reading every month. It’s correct, never had an issue. But BG words it in a way that it might not be correct reading and make a safety issue out of it where there is none.
Again, there is NO law that people have to get smart meters! So, they word it to make it sound like law and safety issues.
Fnck ’em!
Note, I NEVER had a “surprise” bill. The reasons they give is so clearly sales-pitchy.
Latest email from British Gas:
“Your gas meter is reaching the end of its working life. Replacing yours now keeps your readings accurate, avoids surprise bills and means we can take care of any safety issues before they become a problem.
We’ll also replace your electricity meter at the same time. Getting them both upgraded in one go, so it’s one less thing to think about in the future.
We’re required by law to make sure all meters are safe and accurate.“
End of email quote.
So, they try and try and try … Always pay attention to the wording and the psychology behind it.
Some searching will find WHY they try to force smart meters on people. I am also tired of things being called “smart” to fool people.
Be smart and refuse gaslighting by greedy corporations.
“Hey British Gas, maybe more people would want a smart meter if suppliers like you actually fixed them when they were broken? Instead customers are being overcharged then fobbed off with ridiculous excuses.”
So, these smart readers don’t work properly, and repairs take forever and people get overcharge. Now it makes sense why they are so persistent! And most people fall for the emails and letters.
Further, BG forced pre-paid meters into homes of people who couldn’t pay the bills. BG now pay £20 million compensation:
Upfront, I also don’t like how Money Saving Expert is making “force” in capitals while they should make “can’t” in capitals. Fear mongering is a powerful tool to keep people coming back for more!
Quote: “The Government is aiming for all homes in England, Scotland and Wales to have a smart meter by the end of 2030. Under current rules, suppliers can’t FORCE you to get a smart meter, but if your current traditional meter is approaching the end of its life, you may not have a choice…”
And THIS is why British Gas says my meter approaches the end of its life. Bullcrap, they just try to use anything they can to force smart meters on people. The government set the target BUT didn’t make it law! So utility companies try every trick in the book, in my case, my meter is supposed to be at the end of its life.
No it’s not. Those things are built to last long, like the Centennial Light Bulb in California burning since 125 years (from 1901 on).
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In the 1920’s various light bulb companies got together and formed the “Phoebus Cartel“. In a nutshell, they lowered the life-span of light bulbs from 2500 hours to 1000 and raised the prices to make more money.
Quote from Wiki: “The cartel lowered operational costs and worked to standardize the life expectancy of light bulbs at 1,000 hours (down from 2,500 hours), while raising prices without fear of competition. The reduction in lifespan has been cited as an example of planned obsolescence.”
And of course, this is standard practice now with all items, that’s why my average rucksack doesn’t last more than 6 months etc.
So, these smart meters are to control and remotely change things on meters in people’s homes and especially collecting data.
I will make it as hard as possible for British Gas to force their meters on me. And even if they find a legal way to force a gas meter on me, the electric meter was already replaced 2 or 3 years ago, so the “usage” lie won’t work there.
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I worked at Pret A Manger and survived systemic workplace bullying during bereavement that involved HR, the top leadership, HQ and even the now “retired” former CEO Clive Schlee. Schlee has been appointed CEO of itsu in 2024 by Julian Metcalfe who gave him the CEO spot at Pret many years ago. I declined 4 settlement offers if I am silent about my ordeal. But I rather speak out to help others. For an overview of important blog entries of my experience with Pret, please visit “My Ordeal with Pret A Manger”. The little arrow to the right next to each heading will lead directly to the post. An incomplete list on what other Pret staff say about Pret’s bullying environment: Caught in the Act Bullying at Pret and What shop MANAGERS & HQ staff say about Pret incl. CEO Pano Christou. I tell my story for the first time verbally in below audio player interview on a podcast by The Adam Paradox, and wrote two articles in the Scottish Left Review as well as mentioned by the BBC.
Please also see the MEDIA page for more on my work with the press.
Pret “doing the right thing naturally” again, by making promises, then breaking them, and then moving the deadline 5 years further down the road, in hopes people forget.
… “it’s what makes Pret, Pret”.
16.06.2026 UPDATES at the bottom!
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Animal rights activists do NOT forget and have started a brilliant campaign: dumping oversized chickens in front of every Pret store. I’d suggest dumping some in front of Pret’s head office 75B, Verde, 10 Bressenden Place, London SW1E 5DH.
In 2018 when I started to write publicly about Pret, I came across a video regarding animal cruelty with chickens and Pret being part of this. Shortly after the video was made “unlisted”, but I posted it in a post in 2022 after animal rights activists reminded Pret again of their promise to phase out the use of fast growing chicken aka “frankenchicken”.
Little reminder that Pret were already banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in 2018 from advertising their food as “natural”. Pret lied there as well as they lie pretty much about everything. And if there is truth, it is to serve a lie.
In short, chickens are being fed very fast leading to oversized bodies that make them suffer incredibly.
Short video on YouTube how it started and how LARGE the chickens get in short time:
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Monstrous 4 Metre Chicken dumped outside Pret. The group want to visit all Pret stores in London to dump the huge chickens in front of shops.
Photos of the campaign including above header picture, credit: Tom Woolard / Anima
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I love how they even use A-Boards, the same that Pret use, with an oversized chicken on a wrap and text saying “FrankenWrap – Unimproved recipe”. Brilliant!!!
Pret basically told the group they will meet the target in 5 years. In 5 years Pret will have new excuses, on and on it goes.
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I am beyond mind-boggled that people STILL believe that Pret are ethical and caring. It’s beyond my comprehension!
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The Caterer quotes Pret CEO Pano Christou: “We are encouraged by our start to 2026, particularly as more customers are choosing Pret despite the financial pressure many households continue to face. Over the past few years, we have invested significantly in our menu and in better value for money for our customers, while also continuing to support our amazing team members and improve the Pret customer experience. These results give us confidence that when we stay focused on the customer, we can continue to win the hearts and minds of Pret fans in the UK and around the world.” End of quote.
First of all, of course more customers are going to Pret as Pret are speed-opening worldwide to double in size by the end of 2026 as tasked by their owners JAB Holdings.
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THAT is where Pret KEEP their target to double in size by the end of the year as set in 2023.
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Secondly, better value for money? Pano Christou as usual has his head in the sand at best, or lies, at worst. As of June 2026, 71% of reviewers on Truspilot (1 & 2 stars combined) are fed up with Pret for a variety of reasons, but especially the poor quality and smaller sizes for hiked prices. One customer of 31 years has also now stopped going to Pret.
I love when people have an epiphany about Pret. This one on Facebook made my day, quote: “I think pret ihas become extremely suspicious and dangerous“.
Although Pret were always like this, it was just hidden, and is all coming out in the last 8+ years.
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Little side note, Pret had and ignored TWO customer deaths and dozens of injuries before it got public, ONLY responding when it got public. Pret ignored multiple warnings where people landed in hospital from unlabelled allergens, the warnings came before and after fatalities.
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In what illusion do people live in to expect Pret to care about animal welfare when they don’t even give a toss about life and death issues with their human customers!
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Pret were tasked in 2023 by their owners to double in size by 2026 and have substantially grown. This is where Pret keep their target. I also want to show a contrast in HOW FAST Pret can do things. Before AND after 2 customers died, Pret REFUSED to label their food, despite multiple warnings and requests by people suffering with allergies. It took the deaths to become PUBLIC for Pret to act.
And when Queen Elizabeth II died, within ONE day, Pret had all the food labelled with condolences about the late Queen. Unless Pret prepared ahead of time once the Queen became poorly or if they printed these within a day after her passing, I don’t know, but it shows that Pret can indeed act fast if they want to!
The label reads: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of the Queen”.
I edited the label to say: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse and Celia Marsh”.
It took former Pret CEO Clive Schlee TWO YEARS to apologize to the Ednan-Laperouse family, only after the inquest and press release did he write an apology.
“Pret A Manger will be targeted by a £1 million animal welfare campaign after breaking its promise to phase out the use of fast-growing “frankenchickens” by 2026.
All of the sandwich chain’s London stores will be visited by activists in what is believed to be the most well-funded animal welfare campaign ever directed at a UK food company.
Anima, the animal welfare organisation, will begin the campaign with advertisements on the London Underground, street corners, and a fleet of mobile billboards, as well as full-page newspaper ads and a stunt involving the “world’s biggest Pret wrap”, a car-sized replica stuffed with a four-metre-long fast-growing chicken.” End of quote.
I clipped the 9th June 2026 Times Radio interview of Anima (formerly Open Cages) CEO Connor Jackson on Kate McCann and Stig Abell with Times Radio Breakfast. It’s close to 7 minutes long and starts at about 1 hour 53 minutes into the 4 hour show.
Connor Jackson is asked why Pret are targeted when other companies are much worse and even stopped their commitment to stop “frankenchickens”. Jackson mentions the importance of the physical health of the chickens. I personally also believe that Pret are often the target of activist campaigns BECAUSE Pret make lofty claims on ethics, labour issues, healthy food etc. while being the complete opposite.I don’t know any other company that makes so so so so many “too-good-to-be-true” claims than Pret! Hence, the more lofty the claims, the more campaigners look closer and target such claims.
Just like the charity Real Bread Campaign reported Pret to ASA for claiming their food is “natural, and the charity won. This was a first David & Goliath story, but from my own experience with Pret, they are not THAT Goliath-ish! Pret often actually very quickly bow (settle out of court) when challenged.
Please note, should the audio player show 0:00 on both of the display, just press play anyway.
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Video from today 15.06.2026 on Anima’s Facebook page when the campaign started People are pledging to take a break from Pret. I can tell you, people need to stop altogether because Pret will NOT honour their promise.
“In the Times Radio studio this morning announcing @anima_uk’s £1m campaign holding Pret to account for its broken promise to chickens.
In 2018, Pret A Manger committed to phasing out fast-growing chickens by 2026. Never in a million years did I expect we’d end up here. I thought that Pret would follow through and ‘do the right thing’ on its own. But sadly not.
Eight years on, and Pret has broken its commitment, making 0% progress. Rather than set out a credible plan to fix this, Pret has moved the deadline to 2032 with no steps for another five years. That’s not a commitment. It’s an empty promise (link to progress update).
We did everything we could to avoid going public. For two years we maintained a regular dialogue with Pret, asking the company to make demonstrable progress towards honouring its commitment. But it refused to take any steps at all, and instead kicked the can down the road.
That’s what this campaign is about. Fast-growing chickens remain on the menu at Pret just like KFC. The difference is that Pret is pretending they are still committed to doing better. We aim to change that.”
End of quote.
Repeat:
“For two years we maintained a regular dialogue with Pret, asking the company to make demonstrable progress towards honouring its commitment. But it refused to take any steps at all,”
Pret refused to take any steps AT ALL! Yep, sounds just like Pret. It’s what makes Pret, Pret.
“Pret now has a choice: follow Waitrose and move away from these ultra fast-growing breeds, or follow KFC and Burger King in betraying chickens and walking away from animal welfare commitments entirely. This attempt to kick the can five more years down the road tells you which direction it is heading. This campaign is about ensuring that Pret delivers a credible plan towards fulfilment of its commitment.” End of quote.
Well done for not giving up and being tenacious in the pursuit of animal welfare, and also holding Pret to account on their empty words.
UPDATE
16.06.2026
Link to Facebook post. There are actually people angry that people boycott Pret. Unreal! Unfortunately I can’t pledge to take a break from Pret, as I already boycott Pret for life. The pledges have now reached 13,000 plus …
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Further, Pret of course are HIDING comments on Instagram again! 😀
Pret are most active on Insta, not so much on Facebook and their last original post on X was in November 2023. I cannot post on Pret’s Insta even when NOT blocked. They have somehow deactivated my comments on Pret’s Insta page.
I love how they dress similar to Pret uniforms and apron!
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Link to facebook by Camden New Journal including a video showing the animatronic frankenchicken’s beak and eye moving.
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I worked at Pret A Manger and survived systemic workplace bullying during bereavement that involved HR, the top leadership, HQ and even the now “retired” former CEO Clive Schlee. Schlee has been appointed CEO of itsu in 2024 by Julian Metcalfe who gave him the CEO spot at Pret many years ago. I declined 4 settlement offers if I am silent about my ordeal. But I rather speak out to help others. For an overview of important blog entries of my experience with Pret, please visit “My Ordeal with Pret A Manger”. The little arrow to the right next to each heading will lead directly to the post. An incomplete list on what other Pret staff say about Pret’s bullying environment: Caught in the Act Bullying at Pret and What shop MANAGERS & HQ staff say about Pret incl. CEO Pano Christou. I tell my story for the first time verbally in below audio player interview on a podcast by The Adam Paradox, and wrote two articles in the Scottish Left Review as well as mentioned by the BBC.
Please also see the MEDIA page for more on my work with the press.
Bullied during bereavement in Pret A Manger 
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