A new gourmet ice cream and dessert parlour could be coming to Basildon town centre.

YOLO Desserts has submitted a planning application to Basildon Council to open a new restaurant in East Walk where an empty shop once stood.

As well as changing the shop to a dessert parlour, the company also wants to place and illuminating sign board and outdoor seating in front of the building.

If the application is approved, the restaurant will employ at least two full-time and three part-time staff members.

Councillor David Burton-Sampson, Basildon’s deputy mayor, welcomed the proposal and hoped that it would pave the way for more night-time businesses to open up in the town centre.

He said: “It’s great to see companies wanting to invest in Basildon town centre. We are passionate about bringing a better economy, including a night time economy to the borough.

“At the moment the night time economy is not too big, but there’s a growing desire to build that. Since the dessert parlour opens at the night it will help drive more business to the town centre.”

Kerry Smith, councillor for Nethermayne, said: “It’s a very good idea. It’s a nice kind of business where families can go to.

“It’s also a nice place for the mid-summer season to have a sit down.”

“It’s very pleasing to see the town gradually coming back to life after the credit crunch ten years ago. It’s good to see businesses like these popping up.”

The restaurant will open from Monday to Saturday from 9am until 11pm, and on Sunday and Bank Holidays from 11am until 10pm.

The council will decide on the application by Friday, November 3.