A major high street coffee chain has abruptly shut one of its busy UK branches, leaving locals surprised by the closure. Pret A Manger, which operates more than 500 stores across Britain, has closed its doors in Brentwood, Essex, after years of serving commuters and shoppers in the town centre.

The popular cafe, known for its freshly made sandwiches, salads, soups and organic coffee, is now standing empty, with chairs stacked and lights off. A sign on the door thanks both customers and staff, reading: "We're now closed. Thank you to our brilliant team and you, our amazing customers, for your support. Keep an eye on our social channels and website to learn more about future new openings."

Plans are already underway for a replacement.

According to documents submitted to Brentwood Borough Council, the former Pret site is expected to be transformed into a Hotel Chocolat Shop & Velvetiser Cafe, part of the luxury chocolatier's growing line of high-end cafes across the UK.

The planning application, which includes proposals for new signage, describes the move as a "beneficial conversion" that will enhance the appearance of the high street location.

It read: "The proposed signage illustrated on the submitted drawings seek to provide an improved shopfront appearance to allow beneficial conversion of the existing shop to a Hotel Chocolat Shop & Velvetiser Cafe.

"The signage has been sensitively designed to reflect the appearance of the host building's shopfront and its position in the context of neighbouring listed buildings and Brentwood Town Centre Conservation Area."

While no opening date has been confirmed for the new Hotel Chocolat cafe, the company has been steadily expanding its Velvetiser concept, a range of boutique-style cafes offering luxury hot chocolate and sweet treats in major towns and cities.

A spokesperson for Pret A Manger confirmed the closure. They said: "Closing a shop is never a decision we take lightly, and it has been a pleasure to serve customers our freshly made food and organic coffees in Brentwood.

"While we're sad to be leaving Brentwood, we hope customers continue to visit us in our other shops across Essex."

Pret continues to maintain a strong presence in the region, with five other locations in Essex and plans for further national expansion.

The chain, which began in London in 1986, now has hundreds of outlets across the UK, including 10 branches in Birmingham alone.