Pret has changed its subscription deal and fans have strong opinions

Pret A Manger’s coffee subscription deal is getting a makeover as of today, but it seems not all of these changes are welcome among customers.

The service – which offers members up to five barista-made drinks each day – has had a rebrand, now known as Club Pret.

Along with the shiny new name, it now includes 10% off all freshly-made food, snacks, and drinks on top of the. So far, so good.

However, subscribers will also see their monthly fee increase by 20% – and they’re not happy.

When the subscription was launched in September 2020, it was priced at £20 per month. Savvy shoppers could also benefit from a free month on sign-up, and 16,500 people are reported to have joined the day it was launched.

By 2022 it was bumped up to £25 a month, with 1.25 million coffees and teas a week being redeemed in Pret stores across the country.

As of June 5 for existing subscribers and today for new subscribers, this is set to rise even higher to £30. And although newbies can get their first month for £15 (it’s something right?) it’s not gone down well online.

‘Cancelling my subscription with @Pret,’ tweeted one disgruntled customer, adding: ‘I didn’t mind when it increased to £25 but this latest increase is just not fair on the consumer. It will be £35/£40 a month before we know it. It’s a shame but this is pure greed.’

‘Two price increases in a year? Come off it,’ said another user, while one more added, ‘Definitely not worth it anymore.’

In response, Pret’s account said: ‘We launched Club Pret to provide subscribers and Pret customers with more value: 155 drinks a month with a whole lot more options plus 10% off everything else. Pret subscribers saved £50 a month. That’s £600 a year.’

Though that is technically true, it only stacks up if you take full advantage, claiming all five of your allotted drinks every single day. Given you need to leave at least 30 minutes between each, it’s quite difficult to do – especially if you’re a hybrid or remote worker.

It’s not all cost of living gloom, though. Visitors to Pret shops in Glasgow, London, Birmingham and Manchester this week will get a chance to receive a golden cup, entitling them to free Club Pret membership for a whole year.

Up to 10 people will be randomly selected each day for a prize and those who sign up online will also be in with a shot. One lucky Londoner could win a lifetime subscription too, in what the brand is calling a ‘Week of Joy’.

Clare Clough, UK Managing Director at Pret A Manger, said: ‘While we’ve long been famous for our random acts of kindness over the years, we wanted to go that extra mile and ensure generosity every day for our most loyal customers.

‘That’s why we’ve decided to evolve our subscription into Club Pret, giving customers access to up to five Barista-made drinks a day including our new Pret Coolers and a 10% off discount on their favourite food or other Pret goodies for themselves, colleagues, friends and family.’

That’s not necessarily a viewpoint shared by everyone, but for caffeine obsessives and cuppa fiends, it can still be decent value.

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