Deliveroo is secretly gearing up for a massive roll-out of its “dark kitchens” to meet soaring demand for takeaway orders from upmarket local restaurants.

According to documents seen by the Sunday Telegraph, the British food delivery firm is negotiating with property agents to launch 150 bricks and mortar sites across the country by the end of next year.

Earlier this year, the business launched its so-called “Roobox” formula – a kitchen without any restaurant attached – designed to fulfil delivery orders. Industry experts have likened them to supermarkets’ “dark stores”, which have shelves of food products for online orders but no shoppers.