SANDWICH giant Pret a Manger plans to open in a Bournemouth town centre store within weeks.

Signs are currently being put up outside the former Miss Selfridge store in The Square detailing job opportunities with the company.

A spokesman for the popular sandwich bar said the shop is likely to open in May and that a recruitment event will be held shortly.

But Bournemouth council is still looking into whether or not it needs planning permission for a change of use.

If it is classed as a sandwich bar, Pret comes under the classification of Retail and no change of use is required.

But if it is a cafe or restaurant, then permission is needed from planners at the town hall.

Town centre councillor Bob Chapman said he would prefer to see a retail outlet, such as another clothing store, on the site.

He told the Daily Echo: "There are quite enough catering units in the new BH2 development and plenty of other places you can buy a sandwich."

Pret has submitted a planning application for illuminated signage outside the shop but not for a change of use.

The company employs tens of thousands of people around the world and latest figures reveal it has sales of around £700 million per year.