A petrol station isn't the sort of place you'd usually expect to find mouth-watering desserts. But that's all changed after the popular Creams Cafe arrived at a BP garage in Marsh Green, Wigan.
After filling up with fuel, we decided to fill our bellies with some of the delicious treats on the menu, which features waffles, sundaes, cookie dough, crepes and a whole lot more.
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There are a couple of 'Creams' signs out the front, mingled with others, but its existence isn't actually that obvious until you head to the far right of the store and come across the brightly coloured kiosk. It's a unique set-up for the business which is usually, understandably, in a more conventional restaurant setting.
Myself and my daughter were the only ones there so, while seating is a little sparse, we had sole use of the bench area and stools.
Deciding what to have wasn't as easy.
I opted for one of its most popular 'signature desserts' - the Millionaires waffle or crepe, with Lotus Biscoff crumb, milk chocolate shavings, caramel sauce, milk chocolate sauce, speculoos gelato and a Creams wafer - not forgetting the extra vanilla ice cream it's served with.
My daughter went for the Chocolatier sundae - chocolate chip gelato, chocolate fudge brownie gelato, with Creams soft vanilla ice cream, milk chocolate sauce, milk chocolate shavings and a Creams wafer.
Our friendly host Stuart clearly knew we were taking on too much by ordering a thick shake too, politely asking if we were 'wanting it all now?', but he happily obliged, knowing we'd probably be taking half of it home with us.
And those wanting the treats at home don't even have to travel to the garage if they don't want to, as it also takes orders via Just Eats, Deliveroo and Uber Eats too.
It's likely it will pull in the crowds though, especially those travelling to and from football and rugby games at the nearby DW Stadium.
There are other Creams across the UK, around 100 in fact, with local sites in Stockport, Manchester Arndale and Cheetham Hill.
The Wigan franchise is the latest opening from Park Garage Group, which works predominantly in the fuel industry and took over 27 forecourts in November 2021 with the majority having Food to Go outlets.
Chloe Hammond, head of Food To Go, said: "Creams were looking to expand in the North and we at Park Garage Group were looking for a slightly different Food to Go option to add to our portfolio.
"With there being an existing Subway on site, we thought a dessert franchise would work really well in terms of giving that later day part offering and that sweet treat.
"Wigan is the first ever kiosk outlet Creams have opened, the rest being full restaurant set ups. Since the grand opening, there's a real buzz around the store and the site is going from strength to strength every week."
It may seem a bit of an odd setting for a dessert cafe, but it sure makes a dull trip for fuel a lot more fun.
Creams Wigan opens daily 11am to 11pm
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