Pret reveals crazy Birmingham cafe window that's good enough to eat

A stunning shop display celebrating Jude Bellingham’s wondergoal for England at Euro 2024 has been unveiled in Birmingham city centre - and it's good enough to eat. One of three installations paying tribute to the nation’s most joyous moments of 2024, it depicts the Real Madrid star’s injury-time bicycle kick against Slovakia and is made entirely from food.

Pret A Manger revealed the homage to the Stourbridge-raised former Blues star at its New Street shop. Elsewhere, the food and coffee chain's Carnaby Street shop in London commemorates Sir David Attenborough's 70 years on TV.

And the Oxford Street shop in Manchester features local hero Keely Hodgkinson celebrating her gold for Team GB in the 800 metres at this summer's Olympics. All three installations were crafted by prop maker Andy Billett using food from the chain's seasonal menu including items such as mince pies and gingerbread.

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The displays follow research of 2,000 adults, also commissioned by Pret, which revealed 2024’s biggest moments of joy. England men’s football team reaching the final of Euro 2024 topped the poll, while second place went to Sir David Attenborough for his 70 years on TV.

Third spot went to Bellingham’s goal against Slovakia. Katherine Bagshawe, Pret’s UK food and coffee director, said: "We’re thrilled to be able to depict some of the most joyous moments that helped define 2024, as chosen by the nation.

“With 25 per cent of respondents saying they associated joy with their favourite foods, we felt paying tribute through food was a fitting way to celebrate joyous moments.” Other notable events to have given us a lift this year include the announcement of the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special and Keely Hodgkinson’s 800 meters gold at the Olympics for Team GB.

Almost half, 45 per cent, said they believed they would look back on this year fondly as a time which brought them happiness - with 22 per cent describing 2024 as their most joyful one to date. On average, those polled experienced 44 moments of joy so far this year – around four a month – and 30 per cent expected to see an increase next year.

But it emerged 50 per cent believed they did not prioritise their own joy enough, with 33 per cent unable to recall the last time they did something for themselves which gave them a boost. Those polled also revealed what they would like to do to increase the number of joyful moments they experienced in the future.

These included travel more, 42 per cent, socialise more, 37 per cent, and visit cafes and restaurants more often, 26 per cent. Carried out through OnePoll, the research found 51 per cent admitted it was easy to forget all the joyful things which happened in 2024.

Katherine Bagshawe, spokesperson for the food and coffee chain, which is inviting shoppers to post photos of their nearest Pret Christmas window display on social media tagging in #ShareTheJoy, said: "We’re delighted to share stories of remarkable individuals who make a real difference in both their communities and the nation."

TOP 10 – 2024 MOMENTS OF JOY:

1. England men’s football team reaching the final of Euro 2024

2. David Attenborough celebrates 70 years of service as a conservationist and broadcaster

3. Jude Bellingham’s overhead goal for England against Slovakia at Euro 2024

4. The announcement of the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special

5. Keely Hodgkinson’s 800 meters gold at the Olympics for Team GB

6. Sixteen-year-old Luke Littler reaching the final of the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship

7. Andy Murray's emotional retirement match at Wimbledon

8. Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour

9. The announcement Oasis are reforming

10. The Coronation Street 65th anniversary special