A HUGELY-popular dessert business has closed two branches in south Essex just months after being crowned the best takeaway firm in the whole of the South East.

In a blow for customers, bosses at Cookies and Cones have confirmed both their Basildon parlour in the Eastgate Shopping Centre and the Rayleigh business, in Berry’s Arcade in the High Street, have closed. 

Bosses have yet to provide a specific reason for the closures, but it has come as a shock to residents after the business grew in popularity and expanded rapidly in the last two years. 

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Cookies and Cones have six other branches across south Essex, including sites in Southend, Leigh, Wickford and Chelmsford. 

In February, the business was crowned the “best takeaway in the South East” at the Just Eat Restaurant Awards.

Craig Rimmer, Conservative councillor responsible for regeneration, expressed his disappointment for the business.

He said: “It is disappointing to hear when a business closes.

“But the food offering in Basildon as a whole remains strong.

“There is a lot of competition on the market, and in Basildon, so it is hard for businesses.

“But sometimes that is how it works, and you have to close where you may be least competitive.

“They still have the Wickford branch I believe, which is still a positive for the borough.”
Google also now lists both the Basildon and Rayleigh site as “permanently closed”.

Cookies and Cones was established in 2018 and had a small team of just three employees running their shop in Rayleigh.

Within just four years, the company has successfully expanded to nine stores as well as recently opening a new head office and production facility. 

The brand specialises in creating jaw-dropping bakery products, small batch gelato, waffles, and thick milkshakes.

It is believed the Basildon branch closed its doors for the final time on Sunday, and Rayleigh earlier in the week.

In November, Cookies and Cones also opened a new takeaway, production facility and head office site worth £250,000 in Eastwood.