HIGH street sandwich chain Pret A Manger will be opening the doors to its first shop in Salisbury next month.

The new shop in Old George Mall is due to open on Friday, September 4 and is creating up to 20 new jobs.

To celebrate the opening, the company is putting on a two-day party in Old George Mall on September 5 and 6, offering free hot drinks from a Pret coffee van, and entertaining customers with live music, a kids’ entertainer and a face painter. The event will be held from 11am to 3pm on both days.

The company, which is finalising its recruitment for the new shop,will have a seating area of more than 100 spaces and free WiFi for customers.

At the end of everyday it donates its unsold fresh food to local charities supporting the homeless.

Tarah Thacoor, manager of the new Pret in Salisbury, said the food would be donated to both Alabaré Christian Care and Support and Morning Star.

She said: "We are thrilled to be opening a shop in Salisbury for the first time and to start getting to know our new customers and local community – beginning with our big celebrations over the first weekend of September.

"We’re also looking forward to supporting the hard work of two fantastic loyal charities. It makes us proud to know that the food we’re hand-making fresh in the shop each day, will not only be enjoyed by customers, but will also be donated to a very worthwhile place once our shop is closed for the evening.”

Alabaré provide homes, drop-in centres and support services for people who are homeless or at danger of becoming homeless. Morning Star will be distributing the donations during their three-day-a-week Banquet Run.

Pret A Manger will open from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, and from 8am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday.