Dessert cafes and ice cream shops are looking to play a role in the revival of the British High Street and night economy as people seek alternative bars or expensive meals.

According to analysts at Green Street (formerly a local data company), their numbers have soared nearly 700 in the UK over the past decade, from Aberdeen to Plymouth.

The market is believed to be worth more than £500 million, including several national chains and independents from Pudding from St. Albans to Cloud 9 in Brighton.

Ria, 24, stopped at the London outpost, one of the UK's largest chains from lunch time, appeared at the London outpost with two friends, along with two friends. "Especially if you crave something sweet. It's a Friday treat and the price is good."

"I noticed it's become a bigger thing," said Gemma Saunders, 46, who just bought ice cream with her 13-year-old daughter Elizabeth. "This is a great choice to go out and drink, and more and more people don't drink. This is a family place."

"I can meet my friends in a place like this," Elizabeth added. "It's cheaper than going out with pizza."

The past few years have been challenging as dairy products continue to rise, higher energy and wage bills plus the number of visitors dropped to the streets and shopping malls.

But Creams (almost all the butter shops run by franchisees) is back on the expansion trail with plans to have about 10 new stores this year and a similar number next year.

The menu has hot 'n' cold chocolate fudge volcano, lemon meringue cheese Kenkida, birthday cake filled with milkshakes and hot waffles topped with Oreo, Bueno and Speculos.

The company opened its first store in Southall in 2011, owned its own ice cream factory in Dagenham, and made a waffle combo in Dunstable - is exploring new types of venues in cinemas and travel centers, such as train stations. It is also testing two locations in Tesco and is in conversation with negotiations on internationalization in the Middle East or the United States.

Competitor Kaspa's, rival Kaspa, has also been expanding on the trails, opening its first central London venue last year, while young challengers paradise-like desserts have 60 outlets in the UK after opening in London and Middlesbrough recently in London and Middlesbrough, with a goal of 100 aims next year and arriving on the plans at Bedford, Basilden and Manchester's Bedford Fordford.

At the more upscale end of the scene, Bristol company Swoon Gelato has expanded to Oxford and Bath, now having a place in London’s Selfridges department store, putting desserts firmly on a stylish menu.

It can be argued that the concept of dessert experts dates back to the early 20th century, including Bettys in Harrogate or Lyons Tea Rooms, or ice cream shops that opened in the UK since the late 19th century.

However, products like cream, cabbage and sky-like desserts bring a youthful twist to the dessert-only venue – paired with a mixture of cakes, waffles, crepes and ice cream – for those who want an alternative to the bar or more stable coffee and tea room atmosphere, usually closed at 4 p.m.

Since Creams opened its first outlet in 2011, the dessert shop has become a meeting point for a wide array of British society, from kids and teens, who takes over such vendors as a place to hang out after school or in the early evening, to family groups and other non-drinkers searching for an alcohol-free place to socialise into the evening, to gen Z mates who increased favour booze-free vendors and have an eye for the pop of colour an elaborate dessert can add to their social media feed.

In the face cream, the decoration is reminiscent of a nightclub, and the black walls and spotlights help highlight the bubblegum color of the ice cream.

"It's a very democratic gathering place," said Kien Tan, senior retail consultant at PriceWaterhouseCoopers. "It's an affordable dessert, especially for those who don't drink. During the day, there may be a comfortable club crowd who want a place to enjoy treatment without threats. ”

A spokesperson for Sky Dessert said it mainly attracts children aged 18 to 35. "While we welcome guests of all ages, it is this young population that is most closely related to the brand and continues to drive our growth. As a brand, we benefit from the rude, alcohol-free social experiences of young people's desires."

Creams CEO Everett Fieldgate said you might find different crowds attacking waffles and ice cream, depending on the time you enter one of the company’s stores, which are open until 3 a.m.

Australians are bringing a new spin to the brand, with a lighter look designed to attract twenties, families and daytime bets. He also launched healthier items when the family tried to dial the sugar intake - including fruit skewers, despite the chocolate drizzle.

"Consumers will certainly back down, where and how they spend their money," Fieldgate said.

He said some consumers want to cut spending on their favorite snacks, while others reduce size from a meal instead of desserts and face creams “benefit from both.” Fieldgate said the cream also started drinking from some consumers, saying to friends, saying to friends: “Where we go:

The place for this dessert may not be cheap in the cost of a life crisis, with the cream "hot" cold chocolate gummy volcanic sundaes costing £10.95, but they are so huge that they can be shared that the entire experience may cost less than a full meal.

Fieldgate said 2025 started well and sunny weather helped, although he said the group “watched the costs closely” and was cautiously sure that new websites that were viable at higher business speeds and wages were viable.

He said the hotel industry needs more government help to revive the streets and help it oppose online shopping.

"People have been sticking to their teeth and skin due to insufficient consumer confidence and increasing costs of doing business," he said.