A dessert parlour firm could be set to open its first UK branch in Kent.

Bubblin Bubble Waffle and Beverage is gearing up to move into St Peter’s Street, Canterbury, filling the gap left by much-loved vintage clothing store Funky Monks.

Signage has appeared in the shop’s windows, with the exterior of the store having been painted bright pink.

But a planning applications has yet to be submitted to convert the building into an eatery.

A previous attempt to turn the site into a restaurant was rejected in February 2022 over fears an extraction system would be a “dominant, incongruous and unsympathetic addition” to the building.

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Popular in Hong Kong and Macau, a bubble waffle is a spherical, egg-based treat and can be customised to incorporate a wide range of flavours and toppings.

The Canterbury branch would be the first in the UK for the Turkish-based dessert business, which calls itself “the first and leading bubble waffle brand in Turkey” and currently operates four stores in the Middle-Eastern country.

It is not yet known when the branch could open, but the city council confirmed permission would be needed to convert the building.

A spokesman said: “The use as we understand it falls within class E. If they were to change the use to a hot food takeaway they would need planning permission.”

Former tenants Funky Monks departed the store in July last year after 26 years in the city.

Business owner Peter Chittenden told KentOnline at the time the building was to be sold as one unit and that he expected it to be converted into a restaurant.

“We have survived through the tough times, the pandemic, cost-of-living crisis, online sales, but now we’re closing because our landlord is selling the building and there’s nowhere suitable for us on the high street,” said the 57-year-old.

“The landlord has been trying to keep us here but the people who are taking it on want the whole building, which is listed under one address.

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“Whoever is going to be taking it on has to take the whole building, which is just going to be a restaurant, as usual.”

Bosses at Bubblin have been contacted for comment.