Sweet treat snack bars take the borough of Bromley by storm, submerging us into a new world of confectionary, providing modern takes on old classics.
In recent times there has been a vast, flourishing wave of dessert chain stores dominating the high street offering us, the consumers, all the sugary treats anyone could want on constant demand. There is a wide spectrum of stores distributed across London and Kent making them extremely accessible and only a short train journey to branches in Beckenham, Croydon, West Wickham and so many more. Afters chains are amongst one of the many suppliers who lead the way for others, Kasper and Creams, offering desserts fulfilling your sugar fix. Ranging from shakes to smoothies, chocolate-covered strawberries to ice cream sundaes with accompaniments including bubble gum and skittles. Add-ons like marsh mellows and hot chocolate sauce can intensify any flavours of ice cream from the nations favourites to adventurous notes of rose and coconut raspberry ripple. Afters stores incorporate elements of American diner and therefore have large pink booths and tall mirrors.
The company was created in 2004 when Akbar Niaz, the founder, wanted to redefine the way desserts were presented and sold, in a creative and unique way. In collaboration with his son, Niaz managed to open his first kiosk store located in Walthamstow which proved to be a massive success. As they began to grow in popularity, a solid following was built from locals, some even travelled greater distances. In 2006, a larger store opened in Ilford, with an American diner art deco style theme and three years later marked the opening of their largest store yet. Located in Green Street with a 1957 Chevrolet car, it was rated the most unique and extraordinary set up in the UK. From then the business has grown in popularity, consequently opening of many more chain stores and continuing to satisfy customers.
Niaz’s American style diners are a new generation of ‘milk bars’, a post war place to meet friends for shakes and ice cream. ‘Milk bars’ originated in Australia in the 1930’s and proved to be popular, spreading internationally to the UK and America. The bars were viewed as a safe place to hang out in the 1940’s and 1950’s, allowing young people to congregate in a healthy and non – alcoholic setting. Milk bars created the British youth culture post war and were influenced by America, filled with jukeboxes and pinball machines as well as signature black and white checked floor, bar stools and round windows inspired by art deco.
Ice Cream parlours / coffee bars have dominated highstreets proving popular year on year. According to Creams, another high street favourite, summer times provide 7% sales rise from 1.04bn in 2012 to £1.12bn in 2013. In addition, 1 in 10 adults visited coffee shops regularly in 2011 as opposed to 1 in 16 in 2009, proving the industry is continuously growing in popularity.
By Lucy Nolan
