High street bakery Patisserie Valerie is set to open another store in Belfast, which will create 20 new jobs.

The chain will open its second store in the city on 8 November after opening its first Irish site in Belfast in May this year.

Patisserie Valerie CEO Paul May has been eyeing up potential sites as part of the business’s Irish expansion.

“Our first store in Belfast was really well received which is why we were so keen to proceed with the opening of our second so soon after,” May said.

“As a listed company we are embarking on a large expansion strategy, which will see us opening 20 new stores a year in the UK. Northern Ireland is a great market for us and we see a wealth of untapped potential.”

The chain has more than 115 outlets across the UK and Ireland with an estimated value of £320m.

Patisserie Valerie is part of Patisserie Holdings plc, which currently operates under six brands: Patisserie Valerie, Drucker – which currently has 29 outlets, Vienna Patisserie, Philpotts, Baker & Spice and Flour Power City Bakery.