FEARS about customer safety and a growing demand prompted a Romsey ice-cream parlour’s move to larger premises.

Sundae’s Child, owned by Karen Allen, has moved from Bell Street to the Market Place after nearly two years trading in the town.

She said: “Quite quickly the people of Romsey took us to their hearts and queues began to build. The positives of our popularity highlighted our lack of seating space and also the dangers of families queuing on the narrow pavement outside the shop, and with fast-moving traffic on Bell Street these were all factors in our decision to move to 4 Market Place.”

Romsey’s mayor Ian Richards opened the new and larger parlour, which will provide between eight and 12 seasonal jobs.

The new premises is home to a predominantly takeaway business on the ground floor but it does have a small seating area.

Later this month, a waitress service and a customer seating area will open on the first floor.