Krispy Kreme has announced it is to open its first dedicated production site in the UK, as it looks to increase its presence in the north of England.

The 5,392sq ft site, at Heywood Distribution Park in Greater Manchester, will feature a manufacturing line and processing kitchen with the ability to produce 3,000 doughnuts an hour.

Rob Hunt, chief financial officer said the opening of the new factory forms the next step in supporting Krispy Kreme’s expansion plans.

“The Heywood Distribution unit will provide additional capacity to support new store openings in the north,” he said. It will employ up to 40 staff and is due to open in mid-March.

Krispy Kreme’s ring doughnuts are currently made in regional factory shops, which are then delivered to smaller Krispy Kreme shops and Tesco stores in the local area.

However, Hunt said the new factory would not be a replacement for its ‘hotlight’ factory stores in the north west, “it simply provides the additional capacity to widen our distribution reach in the north,” he explained.

“We have no plans to open any more dedicated factory sites in the UK but we will continue to open our hotlight factory stores as the expansion of Krispy Kreme UK and demand for the brand continues,” said Hunt.

Last year the firm announced plans to double its store numbers in the UK over the next five years. Krispy Kreme currently has 45 stores and 230 cabinets with retail partners including Tesco.

The firm opened its first UK store in Harrods in 2003.

>> Krispy Kreme reveals plans to double UK stores