Esquires Coffee Houses UK has announced plans to open another eight franchised stores in the UK, by summer 2009.

The company, now in its tenth year of trading, currently has 25 outlets in the UK.

Peter Kirton, managing director of Esquires Coffee Houses UK, said he had identified a number of locations that he believed would fit with Esquires offering.

“We’ve had an overwhelming level of interest in the Esquires Coffee Houses franchise operation over the past year,” said Kirton.

“Though we are not able to disclose exact locations at this point, I am pleased to say that the new stores will be well spread across the country.”

The chain’s Canadian parent company has also just announced agreements to open a combined total of 585 across China, India, the Middle East and Egypt, as part of the firm’s plans to further expand its international franchises.