THE company behind Stokesley’s newest coffee shop has revealed plans to open in up to ten more North East locations inside the next three years.

The first Milk & Grind has been launched after an investment of about £200,000 by Future Investments Ltd to convert a former High Street bookmaker’s shop.

Seven staff have been recruited, and the shop is open every day of the week. Its cakes, breads and savoury snacks are prepared at the popular and well-established Village Bakery in Billingham.

Plans are already well-advanced for a second coffee shop in Yarm. Middlesbrough is also high on the list as are two towns in Northumberland.

Future Investments Ltd is being advised by Richard Wilson, a senior associate with commercial property specialist Dodds Brown.

He described the plans to develop a North East chain of shops as “extremely exciting”.

General manager Nicola Muir, from Guisborough, is in charge of the first coffee shop. “It’s been full-on – a bit of a whirlwind – but I’ve loved it,” she said.

“There are lots of coffee shops in Stokesley, but we all look different and do different things. It’s nice to have somewhere new to go. We’ve created a lovely atmosphere and have good feel for our local community.

“We’re really excited about how it’s gone so far. It’s early days but it looks like we’ve got this right and it can be a blueprint for what’s to come."