Kaspa’s Desserts, a popular dessert parlour located in Basildon, has been forced to close after Basildon Council used a forfeiture notice to take back control of the building. The closure has sparked outrage from the dessert chain’s management, who have criticized the council’s actions as “draconian” and expressed concern for their ten workers, who are now at risk of redundancy.
The Dispute and Closure
Kaspa’s Desserts, a chain known for its indulgent desserts, had been successfully operating at the East Square Vue cinema complex for the past three years. The closure came after 21 months of negotiations with Basildon Council over the lease. Despite these ongoing talks, the council repossessed the building unexpectedly, leaving freezers full of ice cream still inside and customers in the lurch.
Kaspa’s spokesperson described the council’s action as “very unusual,” particularly considering that negotiations were still ongoing and not formally closed. They also stressed that the dessert parlour had been a valuable business for the local community, especially in an area with several vacant properties.
Impact on Staff and Business Continuity
The abrupt closure has left 10 employees uncertain about their future, as they now face the possibility of losing their jobs. Kaspa’s is urging the council to collaborate with them to find a solution that will allow the business to reopen quickly. The dessert chain emphasized the importance of business continuity, rent payments, and the welfare of their staff, pointing out that the longer the closure continues, the more unlikely it becomes for them to resume trading.
Kaspa’s is also calling out Basildon Council for what they describe as poor management of council assets, asking the local authority to restore trading “as a matter of urgency.”
Council’s Response
A spokesperson for Basildon Council confirmed the repossession of the property but declined to provide further details or comment on Kaspa’s criticism. The council’s decision to close the business has led to frustration from the dessert chain, which had been a successful fixture in the area and contributed to the local economy.
Moving Forward
Kaspa’s Desserts remains hopeful that the council will reconsider their approach and work with them to reopen the business. The chain has requested leadership and goodwill from the council to resolve the situation and prevent further disruption to the community and their workforce.
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