Whittard has expansion plans on the boil

For the six months to 30 November, the tea and coffee retailer made a pre-tax profit of �514,000, compared to �9,000 for the same period a year ago.

Whittard, which spent two years in the red before posting annual profits in 2002, aims to open 10 new stores a year in the UK.

It is also considering doubling its presence in the US, it said.