BOB & Berts, the Northern Irish artisan coffee and food shop, is opening its first Scottish stores as it launches plans to create 400 jobs across the country.

Premises on Falkirk High Street are being fitted out for the firm’s maiden Scottish store, which is due to open at the end of this month, ahead of the opening of outlets in Dunfermline and Stirling.

The brand is planning to open a further 30 stores and create 600 full and part-time jobs over the next four years, with around 20 of the shops and 400 of the jobs to be located in Scotland.

Bob & Berts raised £2 million of capital from BGF in August 2017 to fund its entry into Scotland and further growth in Northern Ireland.

The brand is already well-established in Northern Ireland, with its 18th store opening soon in Magherafelt.

Co-owner Colin McClean said: “We are excited to be bringing our business to Scotland having spent time immersing ourselves in so many different locations and active communities.”