A THRIVING dessert business is set to welcome its loyal customers through the doors of its new store on Southend High Street this week – with the premises taking up a whole three floors.

Cookies and Cones, which opened initially in Leigh three years ago, flourished through lockdown and opened branches in Rayleigh and Wickford.

Now, having bagged a spot in the final of the British Takeaway Awards, the team will open the new Southend site on Thursday at 10am.

Having moved 20 shops up and re-located to the top of the high street, opposite Greggs, the new store will boast a ground floor for customers, a middle floor for super-fans to host their very own Cookies and Cones party, and the third floor for staff.

Looking to the future, owner Matt Davis says a new store for Basildon could be next on the cards, although nothing has been confirmed just yet.

The firm take orders from all over the UK with its signature doughnuts, cookie cups and waffles in high demand.

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Mr Davis said: “We’re so excited – it’s been a lot of planning to get it done and it’s so nice to be finally able to let people know about the opening.

“I think everyone is just relieved it’s finally happening, we told people we would be moving the store a while ago and it took nine weeks to build and get it all fitted out how we wanted it. It’s the longest we’ve had, but it’s been so worth it to see it all come together.

“It will feature a lot more than any of our other stores, with new products on the menu.

“It’s all coming together after such a tough year and we’re so excited to see what could happen next.”

For the time being, the former Southend Cookies and Cones store will be used for storage while its new home will have capacity for 38 people to sit indoors.

Mr Davis added: “It’s much more of a central location where there will be more footfall, and eventually the old site was going to be demolished due to Queensway anyway.

“It’s such a great feeling to see our business growing as it is, especially to be doing what we are during such an uncertain time. We can’t wait to welcome our customers to our new store and thank you to everyone who has supported us on our journey so far.”

It will be open from 10am-10pm for dine in, takeaway and delivery.