A UK restaurant chain founded in Birmingham is planning to expand its portfolio of sites across the country including adding a third in the city at the Grand Central shopping centre.

Handmade Burger Company was launched in Brindleyplace in 2006 by Chris Sargeant and his two brothers since when it has grown to 20 sites, including its second ever restaurant in Solihull and at the Bullring.

The company has secured a new £400,000 funding package from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking to support its plans to open new restaurants in Southampton and Glasgow later this year and Birmingham and Nottingham in 2015.

The opening of the new outlets will see the creation of around 30 new jobs at each site.

Mr Sargeant said: "We have enjoyed rapid growth since opening our very first restaurant in 2006 and, through this investment, we look forward to taking our brand into a variety of new locations in the UK.

"With our roots in Birmingham, we are excited to be opening our third city outlet next year in Grand Central as part of the redevelopment of New Street Station, which promises to become an important location among our nationwide chain."

Phil Davies, relationship director at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, added: "We're passionate about supporting British businesses and The Handmade Burger Company is a great example of successful enterprise which we are proud to support.

"This is an investment which reinforces our commitment to enabling businesses to expand, and we look forward to seeing the company’s ambitious growth plans come to fruition in the months ahead."