Starbucks to open 100 new UK stores

STARBUCKS plans to open more than 100 UK coffee shops following a jump in sales.

The cafe giant said it aims to invest £30m in store openings and refurbishing existing sites.

The investment comes after reports last year that Starbucks was considering selling its UK business, which has 1,066 stores.

It plans 300 new outlets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa as a whole.

In the UK, the focus will be on drivethrough sites and ‘key cities’. Starbucks is also aiming to renovate 30 company-operated stores over the course of the coming year.

UK revenues surged by 37pc to £449.3m for the year to October as it continued its recovery from the pandemic.

However, the business saw operating profits slip to £12.6m from £16.5m in the previous year, following inflationary pressure and investment in staff pay.