Plan for ‘1950s diner’ milkshake and dessert bar launched

ACCRINGTON’S first dedicated town centre dessert and milkshake bar could be set to open.

Businessman Umar Farooq has unveiled plans to open a dessert parlour called ‘Swirlz’ at 103 Blackburn Road.

If approved, the 1950s American-themed bar will offer eat-in and takeaway services and seat 30 people in retro four-seater and six-seater booths.

Mr Farooq said the business will have a ‘positive impact on the town centre’ and help attract more people into the area.

In planning documents sent to the council, he said: “We are only proposing to sell milkshakes and desserts, with the desserts element consisting of ice-cream, sundaes, cookie dough, waffles and cakes.

“We would also argue that our business would complement the existing businesses and is not in direct competition with any of the surrounding businesses as we will not be operating as a traditional takeaway and will only be serving milkshakes and desserts.

“Milkshake and dessert bars are increasingly popular and are opening up and down the UK, with several in the surrounding towns of Nelson, Burnley and Blackburn as well as Manchester.

“While there is another dessert bar in Accrington it is not in the town centre and is not an eat-in and in his regard we feel our proposed development will be unique to both Accrington and to the town centre; our shop will in fact be set up as an American 50s-style diner.

“We plan to invest a considerable amount to make sure the shop is attractive both internally and externally and finished to a high spec and will hopefully encourage other businesses to occupy some of the surrounding vacant shops.”

Swirlz is aiming to open 12noon to 11pm Sunday to Thursday and from 12noon to 12midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Shahed Mahmood, Hyndburn Chamber of Trade president and a Blackburn Road business owner, said it would be a great addition to the town centre and help create jobs.

He said: “The investment in the town centre will be great, and welcome. It’s better than an empty or dilapidated shop.

“Something like that is needed in the town. We don’t have anything like a dessert bar. There are coffee bars and places that do desserts but nothing specific. It will help create jobs and open another closed shop.”