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Sittingbourne looks set for not one, but two national ice cream parlours.
Dessert chain Kaspa’s has put in plans to set up shop in the former Wetherspoon’s – The Summoner – in Sittingbourne High Street, underneath the snooker club, creating 30 jobs.
The Summoner closed its doors in February last year, after nearly two decades of trading, with 40 jobs being axed.
Kaspa’s already has branches in Canterbury and Broadstairs, with restaurants opening soon in Gillingham, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Dover.
It serves Italian gelato, waffles, crepes, milkshakes, smoothies and sundaes and its new Sittingbourne shop would seat 124.
The application for the shop in the former Bell Shopping Centre reads: “There is presently no similar offering to Kaspa’s in Sittingbourne and this will create a unique feature within the town centre.
“Its family-orientated menu and decor together with a seating layout that is focused towards groups rather than individuals and couples creates an environment for socialising and meeting others.”
It would open from 11am until 11pm, seven days a week.
But if rival Creams has anything to do with it, Kaspa’s won’t be the only dessert chain in town. It announced in May that it will be opening up shop in February next year, although the location isn’t yet confirmed.
If it opened, it would join other Creams in Kent at Chatham’s Dockside, Maidstone and Gravesend. Creams has 49 restaurants across the UK and 54 more coming, whereas Kaspa’s has 37 with 28 in the pipeline.
A resident, who works a few doors up from the former Wetherspoons at Julie Gamble, was delighted by the news: “Everyone here got really excited when we heard.
“We need to get a few more things in Sittingbourne.”
A Kaspa's spokesman said: "We're looking forward to opening in Sittingbourne and cannot wait to bring our delicious desserts to the people of this great town!
"Our aim is to bring an amazing and unique dining experience to the areas we serve in topped with a focus on great customer service for our guests and dessert lovers!"
An opening date hasn't been confirmed yet.