Canadian coffee giant Tim Hortons is about to open its doors in Birmingham and BirminghamLive has had a sneak peek to see what all the fuss is about.

The spacious 110 cover cafe on New Street is spread over two floors and could well be the place to escape the Christmas market this festive season.

It is housed in the former Thomson travel agents - near rival Starbucks and overlooking the Birmingham German Christmas Market.

On our visit we certainly found a homely cosy cafe vibe to draw Brummies in.

The ground floor with counter is kitted out in a Americana fast-food style fit out with Tim Hortons trademark bright red branding.

Upstairs at Tim Hortons
Upstairs at Tim Hortons

But the upstairs floor has a more modern coffee shop interior with soft furnishings and small enclaves - making it feel like a haven away from the heaving market crowds outside.

There are sockets everywhere to ensure the working coffee shop ambience - all night long!

The store boasts longer opening hours than other coffee chains in the area - open 6am until 11.30pm Monday - Saturday and 8am - 9pm on Sundays.

Tim Hortons
Tim Hortons

What is Tim Hortons famous for?

As well as its signature brewed coffee, the much loved Canadian brand is renowned for its French Vanilla and Iced Capp beverages and Timbits - bite-sized doughnuts.

One of their most popular drinks is a ‘double double’. The coffee contains two ‘creams’ and two sugars – twice the regular amount.

Inside Tim Hortons
Inside Tim Hortons

Tim Hortons serves a breakfast and savoury menu with sandwiches, wraps and paninis and toasties which are all freshly made to order.

Kevin Hydes, Chief Finance and Commercial Officer of the Tim Hortons franchise in the UK, said: “Our savouries are freshly made to order.

"We see this as a point of difference to other coffee chains.

"You can have cakes with your coffee at places like Starbucks but their sandwiches are not fresh."

"We are a coffee chain but food is most definitely not an after thought here. The quality of our sandwiches, bakes good is as important as our drink offering."

And there will be more emphasis on service rather than other coffee chains.

Mr Hydes said: "We have a total of 50 staff and at any one time there will be never be less than 15 staff members to ensure the highest possible service.

"Tim Hortons is all about good hospitality - we want to serve people as well and as quickly as possible -within three minutes.”

“The really good thing which sets us apart is our exceptional pricing. People can come into Tim Hortons and buy a cup of coffee for £1.59.

“There are lots of people who do food and drink but nobody in the UK does what we do at Tim Hortons.”

What is on the drinks menu?

Cold drinks on offer include the iced Capp (£2.39 small), fruit smoothies, frozen lemonade and iced Capp Supreme in caramel, chocolate, hazelnut or Oreo Canadian classic French vanilla

In Canada Tim Horton is famous for its brewed coffee but they offer other coffees such as cappuccino, chai latte and flat whites.

Tim Hortons in the UK

Tim Hortons opened its first UK restaurant in Glasgow in June 2017.

Since the huge success of the Glasgow store, a further 17 restaurants are now serving guests in and around Glasgow, Cardiff, Manchester and Belfast.

What's on the savoury menu?

Chicken sandwich at Tim Hortons
Chicken sandwich at Tim Hortons

The breakfast menu including egg and cheese muffins (£1.99), breakfast brioche (£2.49), and mixed berry granola pots (£1.59).

Other savoury snacks include steak and cheese panini (£3.29) Grilled cheese melt (£2.69) Ham and cheese melt (£3.19)

Grilled cheese melt at Tim Hortons
Grilled cheese melt at Tim Hortons

You can upsize to a meal including a drink and wedges - served with a variety of sauces including north American favourite chipotle sauce (smoked dried jalapeños, mayonaise, yogurt and coriander)

Bagels are also on offer.

There wraps menu has proved very popular in other UK branches and there is also a light bites menu.

Find out more about Tim Hortons here:

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What are the donuts and pastries like?

Tim Hortons festive donuts

The bakery section includes its famous bite-sized doughnut pieces called Timbits (29p each, or £2.49 for a 10 pack), doughnuts (£1.29 each) and muffins (£1.69 each).

You can enjoy enjoy honey crullers - which are another speciality of Tim Hortons.

Donuts and pastries on offer include apple fritters, Canadian maple and Boston cream donuts.

Tim Horton also does cakes
Tim Horton also does cakes

There are also limited edition festive donuts available.

Tim Hortons is open Monday - Saturday: 6am - 11:30pm and 8am - 9pm on Sunday.