The long-awaited opening of a dessert parlour on Braintree High Street will be completed just in time for Christmas, The Times can reveal.

A revamp has been ongoing for five-weeks to convert the former Bailey’s Bar, into a Kaspa’s, which is set to open in the second week of December.

Mark Adams and business partner Deepak Patel are behind the plans, under the umbrella of UK Desserts Limited.

Mr Adams, a resident of Maldon, said he hopes that the new restaurant helps to “revitalise” Braintree High Street.

“The Braintree area is the right demographic for a Kaspa’s. We thought Braintree would proposer out of one coming here.

“The town centre needs a few more restaurants and for me it can only be a good thing for the town.

“It will bring a nice destination point to this part of the town and hopefully it is going to bring people to the high street.”

When complete, refurbishing and kitting out the new store will have cost the duo well in excess of £250,000.

So far six full-time staff have been taken on as well as 18 part-time team members, however Mr Adams said this number is likely to increase in the future.

“The part timers are school age and the full timers are a little older with more catering experience.

“We have project managed the build ourselves and we have been on site almost every day, getting stuck in with things like ripping down walls and painting.

“We have learnt a lot from doing this and we will take that into future projects.”

The restaurant can accommodate 111 covers and its menu will feature Kaspa’s usual mix of Gelato, waffles, crepes, milkshakes, smoothies, coffees and sundaes - all made from Italian ingredients.

“Kaspa’s is a vibrant, active, lively and fun place to be that serves great waffles. The ice creams are second to none and the coffee is better than anything else on the high street.

“I think it is going to be a nice place to be for everyone in Braintree of all ages - I am excited for it to open.”

The duo plan to open between ten and 20 more Kaspa’s in Hertfordshire and Essex in the coming years.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/kaspasbraintree.