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One of Paris Baguette's biggest competitors globally – Pret A Manger – has had to experiment with subscription services and expand dine-in options after Covid pushed the sandwich and coffee chain into loss, and it was forced to close dozens of outlets and cut more than 3,000 jobs.

Tanya Ednan-Laperouse co-founded The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation in the name of her daughter who died after an allergic reaction to a Pret a Manger sandwich.

"If it was popular, you'd hear about it," like when Pret A Manger changed its subscription service, he says.

For him, "that's cheaper than a Pret or a Starbucks," he says.

In the UK Starbucks will still let non-customers in, but many rivals, including Costa Coffee, Pret a Manger, Waterstones and a large number of independent shops are limiting who can use their loos.