The brand Pret a Manger actually started in Hampstead but that folded after 18 months and the brand was sold to Julian Metcalfe and Sinclair Beecham who restarted it in Victoria near, but not actually at, the building with the plaque. This time it survived and became extremely successful.
(We were working in St James's in the 80s and remember this great new sandwich shop in Victoria Street, with an odd French name.)
2017: We were contacted by Simon Jones who knew Jeffrey Hyman, who was, depending on your definition, the actual founder of Pret a Manger. Hyman (1949-2017) created the shop in Hampstead in October 1984 and after a year’s trading sold the name, branding, and logo to Metcalfe and Beecham. Hyman, who lived in Temple Fortune most of his life, died early in 2017. Obit. in The Grocer.
2024: Mr Little kindly contacted us to point out that we’d got the street numbers a bit muddled (now sorted). The original shop was at 75B Victoria Street, that’s the shop now occupied by Toni and Guy. Since then Pret have moved to larger premises, up the road at 93-95, and that’s where the plaque is.
Pret are proud of their history: Describing their current offices: “To celebrate Pret’s first shop opening at 75B Victoria Street, a blue plaque emblazoned with 75B sits on the reception desk. Off reception is a meeting room with their first shop sign in glorious neon pink.”
