There has been a huge growth of coffee shops and cafes in Weymouth, Portland and West Dorset.

The number of businesses has risen from 25 in 2010 to 45 this year in Weymouth and Portland, according to the latest Office for National Statistics data.

The ONS figures for unlicensed restaurants include both coffee shops and fast-foods outlets.

And it is these two types of businesses that are driving the sector boom across the country, market analysts say.

West Dorset has seen an even greater increase, with the number of businesses almost doubling from 30 in 2010 and 65 this year.

But more businesses on high streets also means more competitors.

The investment bank Citybank said in a report released last year that the number of coffee shops cannot keep growing at the same high pace and forecast that the boom in the sector will not last beyond 2022.

The data from the ONS shows that the opening of new coffee shops and fast-food restaurants in Weymouth and Portland has slowed since 2016, but still increased by 13 per cent.

The expansion of these businesses in Weymouth and Portland was slower than the average for the UK.

West Dorset saw a faster than average growth. The opening of new businesses has slowed since 2016 but still increased by 18 per cent.

Mike Cherry, the Federation of Small Business’s national chairman said: “Crucially, it isn’t just chain stores who are seeing their fortunes rise, but independents are also thriving in this food and drink boom.

“Not only does this help small firms, but also gives shoppers a greater wealth of choice and promotes good healthy competition.”

“The caveat for this success is that all smaller firms, whether they are selling coffee, clothes or carpets are constantly threatened by ever-rising business rates.”

A spokesman from The Project Cafe UK, a network of coffee professionals who analyse the industry, warned that despite coffee shops doing well, but Brexit could hamper the growth.

He said: “The industry mood remained confident over the last years, with 71% of coffee sector executives, interviewed by us, positive about the trading environment.

He said: “Deep concerns over key Brexit issues, such as trade and jobs, remain – a climate reflected in dampened like-for-like sales and impeded outlet growth.”