Hotel Chocolat's profits have doubled in the past year as "chocolate lock-ins" helped lure customers, and an investnent in a new truffle-making facility helped boost margins.

The upmarket chocolatier reported a jump in pre-tax profits from £5.6m to £11.2m in the year ending July 2.

Sales grew by 12pc to £105.2m compared to a year earlier, as the business opened 12 new shops and 15 in-store cafes, which serve the brand's hot chocolate and cocoa-infused ice cream.

The upbeat trading means Hotel Chocolat is the latest in a line of retailers to shrug off concerns of a spending slowdown resulting from weak wage growth and rising inflation. Next and Associated British Foods have recently toasted strong sales while official sales figures earlier this month smashed forecasts.

Like other retailers, Hotel Chocolat is reacting to dwindling high street footfall by investing in making its stores more attractive with the addition of experiences, such as "lock-ins", which allow customers to stay in store after hours for tutored chocolate tastings.