A WEYMOUTH pub manager is opening up a new pudding shop in Weymouth town centre - in moves that will create around 35 jobs.

'Naughty Fork Desserts' is the brainchild of Keith Foose, who runs Hardy's Hop House in St Thomas Street.

Mr Foose has been serving up takeaway desserts from an airstream-style trailer at the back of the pub as a way to make an income during lockdown.

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He says the business has been 'flying' - and due to its success will now be expanding into the former Subway shop next door to Hardy's on St Thomas Street. It means a shop that has been empty for years will now be back in use.

Keith said he will continue to run Hardy's and will be taking on 15 additional pub staff to enable him to focus on the new dessert shop - so a total of around 35 jobs will be created.

Explaining how the idea for a pudding business first came about, Keith said: "I was at a friend's house in Exeter and we ordered dessert from a place called 'Puddo'. I realised that nowhere does this in Weymouth.

"When lockdown came in and pubs shut, I needed to find a way to make an income so I went all in and bought a catering trailer to start up 'Naughty Fork Desserts' - and it is flying. It is doing so well.

"My accountant rang me and said 'you might want to grow this - you're actually making more money than from Hardys' as I profit share with Marston's (brewery)."

Keith described his creative vision for the new shop, which promises to be an extravaganza of colour and themed displays - but asked the Echo to keep the details under wraps until the big reveal. He hopes it will be up and running towards the end of April.

Currently Naughty Fork Desserts' signature dish is waffles - but with new larger premises they can expand the menu to include Dutch pancakes, milkshakes, churros, American pancakes, crêpes and ice cream waffle cones.

Everything is made on on site using local ingredients, including Purbeck ice cream.

"I had to go to Purbeck ice cream to pick up an order last week - they couldn't believe how much we've been selling in these difficult times," Keith added.

"This next step is going to be really exciting. There's a lot of work to do but we can't wait to get the new shop up and running."