Pret CEO Pano Christou has said it is a “sad day” for Pret after he announced it was permanently closing 30 shops as a result of the coronavirus crisis. He said the impact of the virus on operating costs and cashflow had been “significant”, with sales down 74% year on year, and that Pret would now look to reduce staff across its remaining shops and at its London HQ. It will also look to sell the lease of the building.