A £600,000 investment will see a popular Southend seafront ice cream parlour open a sister site - converting a former gift shop on Pier Hill.

The new Scoops 37 dessert parlour will replace the former Gaiety Bazaar gift shop, with scoop bosses looking to expand on the success of its current parlour in Marine Parade.

The new business is set to open in a few weeks time with a major refurbishment already well underway.

Scoops offers an extensive range of sweet treats including milkshakes, 30 flavours of ice cream, hot donuts and waffles, and a unique warm chocolate tap.

Operations director Nick Singer, 35, said: “It’s very exciting for us to keep the business moving and expanding.

“We will have eight booths and other tables too so it will be great to give the offering and for people to be able to sit down and get that service.

“It will also have views of the seafront and area too. Our existing Scoops is a great success - where else would people want to get their desserts?

“It’s got that cool vibe and the new business will be the same with the flower wall and neon sign.

“We want to bring a bigger business where people can eat in while enjoying the views of the seafront.

“We are really pleased with the location and we will create about 20 new jobs too.”

Gaiety Bazaar was popular on Pier Hill for 50 years before owner Adrian Wood decided to sell up.

His family took over the shop, which originally dates beck to 1911, half a century later.

Mr Singer, who also runs Kingpins bowling alley, added: “We are spending £600,000 on the project so it is a significant investment and we hope to help tidy up the area and make it more attractive.

“We are looking to open in mid April. We are refurbishing and refitting the building which used to be the gift shop and was there a long time.

“We want to drive the business forward and have more venues in the area.

We are in the refitting stage so are a few weeks away.”