Ice cream chain Amorino to take over former TSB bank in Canterbury high street

An international gelato chain has unveiled plans for its first Kent store which will open later this year inside a former high street bank.

Ice cream purveyors Amorino already boast 30 stores across the country but is now transforming the old TSB building on the corner of Parade and Butchery Lane in Canterbury.

Franchisees Khawar and Khurram Hussain will add to their two existing stores in Camden and Greenwich as part of grand plans to expand Amorino’s brand across the south east.

The duo will join heavyweights in the sweet treat game later this year as Kaspa’s Desserts and Cream’s cafe already have branches in the city centre.

Speaking ahead of the latest move, an Amorino spokesperson said: “We believe that Amorino offers a unique experience alongside an exceptional product. Our extensive range of up to 36 flavours, along with waffles, crepes, and our exclusive gelato-filled macarons, sets us apart.

“Our signature gelato is crafted with the finest ingredients and sculpted into a beautiful rose shape, offering customers a visually captivating and memorable experience.

“We’re excited about expanding Amorino’s presence in the UK, and we are actively looking at other sites in Kent in addition to Canterbury.”

Amorino began in 2002 when friends Cristiano Sereni and Paolo Benassi opened their first store in Paris. They sought to bring traditional Italian recipes to the heart of the French capital.

Four years later, the pair launched their franchise network and has grown to more than 250 stores in 18 countries.

Work is underway on Amorino’s Canterbury store, with doors set to open on October 15.

The former TSB building has remained vacant since the bank closed its doors in February 2021.

At the time, it was one of 164 stores nationwide to be axed, alongside 900 jobs.

The move came after the company saw a significant shift in customer behaviour, with people ditching in-store branches in favour of online banking.

Another 36 closures were announced earlier this year. In September, 27 stores in the UK closed their doors, including the site in Sheerness, and another nine will shut in May next year.

It leaves just Chatham High Street and Bluewater Shopping Centre as the only remaining branches in Kent.