Pret has announced some big changes to its coffee subscription service, including a price increase, reports The Manc.
The high street coffee chain is rebranding the service to 'Club Pret', with new perks for customers but also a new monthly fee.
A subscription to Pret, which includes five barista-made drinks per day, will now set you back £30 a month, which current members say is 'pure greed'.
The service was initially launched at £20, then jumped up to £25 in February last year.
An email sent to subscribers this morning outlined that changes that are coming as part of Club Pret.
The coffee chain is introducing a members-only discount for the first time with Club Pret, with 10% off food.
They added: "We've also listened to your feedback on iced drinks, so today we're introducing a new, bigger range of iced drink - Pret Coolers, which replace the old range of smoothies and frappes and will no longer be in shops from 5th June.
"We've also installed new ice machines, so you'll be able to get your iced coffees and Pret Coolers in over 90% of our shops. In July we'll also be adding even more choice with Pret Shakes."
The price hike will come into action from 5 June onwards, whenever each customer's billing cycle falls.
The new benefits are available straight away.
Explaining the extra £5 per month, Pret said: "No business wants to raise prices, but of the new subscription price, around £1 will cover increasing ingredient prices, £2 will go towards Pret team pay, and around £2 will help with rising energy costs.
"Over the past year, we've given a lot of thought to how we can keep giving back to our most loyal customers. These are tough times, and we want to do the right thing for the people who matter most to Pret: you, our customers, and our amazing team members who serve you every day.
"Creating Club Pret is our way of saying thank you to everyone who keeps choosing Pret."
Pret. Credit: Unsplash
Fans have been quick to voice their thoughts on social media (as usual).
One person said: "I hate it when brands try to hide a price hike. It’s dishonest. Cancelling my subscription."
Another wrote: "It's gone from £20 to £25 and now to £30 in a matter of months - it's not worth it."
Someone else joked: "Pret subscription just went up to £30, not one minute of reprieve from the #cozzielives."
One user on Twitter said: "Cancelled my subscription this morning. Without much hesitation as quality of Pret drinks and food has gone downhill recently. This hike is pure greed. Better options and more value elsewhere."
And someone else posted: "£30 pret subscription SEE YA BABE ain't no way I'm paying that for sh*t coffee. Two price increases in a year? Come off it. This was their reasoning LOL tone deaf."
Featured image: Pret
Shopping
Independent Nordic-inspired homeware shop closes Leeds store after six years
After six years in the city, independent homeware retailer North Home is closing its Leeds city centre shop.
If you're a lover of all things home then you'll have most likely visited the gorgeous North Home shop in the Victoria Quarter.
Stacked to the brim with unique pieces from striking ceramics to stylish soft furnishings, North Home is known for its well-curated stock and great customer service.
Seriously, we've probably spent a good hour in here in awe of all the beautiful pieces.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Last week, curious shoppers noticed the three-storey store was suddenly empty and now the company have confirmed that they have closed for good.
In a statement, they said: "After nearly 6 wonderful years trading in Leeds, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our physical store while we restructure the business and explore the next chapter for North Home.
"Retail has changed significantly in recent years and, like many independent businesses, we’ve faced increasing costs.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
"Taking this step now gives us the opportunity to protect what we’ve built and focus on the future of the brand. North Home continues to operate online and all existing customer orders will be fulfilled as normal although delivery times may be slightly extended.
"We’ve loved being part of the Leeds retail community since 2020 and are incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received. We hope to share more about our plans soon."
We'll be sad to see them go and we hope this isn't goodbye forever, but you can still shop from North Home online here.
A new female-founded business has opened in Leeds and it’s a trinket-lover’s paradise
Clementine Hall
Lisa Angel has just opened inside the Victoria Gate and it’s an Aladdin’s Cave full of jewellery, prints, gifts and everything in between.
The best part? It’s a female-founded brand that has chosen our wonderful city for their first Yorkshire site. We absolutely don't blame them.
Founded in 2004 by Lisa hand making jewellery which she sold at craft fairs local to her Norfolk home, the business has gone from strength to strength every since.
The brand is now a recognised part of the British high street landscape, boasting seven other stores across Norfolk, Suffolk, and the Midlands.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Shoppers can expect beautifully handcrafted jewellery, unique trinkets and wonderful staff who are open to have a natter.
It's the perfect shop for when you don't exactly know what to buy that someone special, just pop in here and you'll be hit with a wave of inspiration immediately.
We could've genuinely spent a good hour in there and come out with a much lighter wallet.
Lisa herself spoke about the opening: “As an independent retailer, we are thrilled to launch in a destination with such a reputation as Victoria Leeds.
"We believe retail should remain grounded in inspiration and discovery, and we look forward to bringing just that to the vibrant city of Leeds, in our first store in the north.”
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Managing Director James Moody said: “We're incredibly excited to be opening our first northern showcase store in such a prestigious location.
"Victoria Leeds represents exactly the kind of vibrant retail destination where we can bring the full Lisa Angel experience to new customers. This is a significant milestone for us as we continue to grow our retail presence."
The Hoot -
26th April 2023 
