City council planners have refused retrospective planning permission for signs at Pret A Manger's new Veggie Pret.

The sandwich shop chain converted its shop at 2 Cornmarket into a Veggie Pret in February, and is now selling only vegetarian and vegan products.

Meat-filled sandwiches are still on sale at the chain's other Cornmarket branch.

READ MORE: New signs go up at Veggie Pret in Cornmarket

New bright green signs went up in February to indicate the shop was now a Veggie Pret.

The chain applied for retrospective planning permission the following month and earlier this week the application was refused.

The decision notice said: "The signs give rise to harm to the Central Conservation Area and setting of the surrounding listed buildings that would detract from the special architectural qualities of the designated heritage assets."

Oxford Mail: The Pret shop front before it was changed

Planners said the signs were 'jarring', had an incongruous impact on the street scene and were detrimental to the appearance of the Central Conservation Area.

The Veggie Pret is offering an extensive range of freshly made vegetarian and vegan options, all prepared in the on-site kitchen.

It is being used as an innovation hub to trial new vegetarian and vegan additions as Pret looks to expand its offering.

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Guy Meakin, Interim UK managing director at Pret, said earlier: “We’re delighted to be opening a new Veggie Pret shop in Oxford with our franchise partner Dallas Holdings. Together with our other classic Pret shops across the city, we look forward to offering customers an even greater range of delicious, freshly prepared vegetarian and vegan options.”

The shop’s menu features items from Pret’s new 2023 menu including the Spicy No'Duja Toasted Focaccia, The Plant Ploughman’s Baguette and the PLT sandwich (plant, lettuce and tomato).

Oxford Mail: A Pret advertising board

Pret said other Veggie Pret exclusives available at the shop include the Scandi 'Salmon' Roll, Vegan Hoisin Mushroom Wrap and Halloumi, Red Pepper & Basil Toastie, with people also able to enjoy several other plant-based twists on Pret classics, such as the Meatless Meatball Wrap.

The shop will also offer a range of both vegan and veggie bakery counter options including the Vegan Dark Chocolate & Almond Butter Cookie, the Vegan Very Berry Croissant and the Cheese Twist (vegetarian).

Managed by franchise partner Dallas Holdings, the new Veggie Pret replaced the classic Pret shop at 2 Cornmarket Street, while the other six locations in Oxfordshire will continue to offer Pret’s classic menu.

Pret was founded in 1984 and by 2018 was employing 12,000 staff.

Oxford Mail: Customers at the Veggie Pret

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Business leaders have expressed concern at the number of empty units in Cornmarket after numerous chains left for the Westgate Centre.

Pret has not yet commented on the planning decision or said whether it will remove or alter the new signs.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

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