An American cookie company specialising in warm treats delivered to the door and early-hours opening is hoping to open a new shop in Exeter.
Late night cookies could be coming to Exeter city centre as a company that specialises in after-dark snacks for university students comes to town, writes local democracy reporter Guy Henderson.
American midnight munchies specialist Insomnia Cookies – tagline ‘warm, delicious, delivered’ – has applied to open in the former Toni&Guy hairdressing salon in Queen Street.
On its website it says it was ‘born in a dorm in the USA’. The site goes on: “Insomnia Cookies is a brand made by and for young people who dream big and don’t mind breaking the rules on the way.”
The salon closed in February and the cookie company has already applied for a licence to sell its wares every night from 11pm to 5am.
Pictured here is an Insomnia Cookie shop in another part of the UK.
Image: Google Street View.
The cookie outlet, which describes its customers as ‘fans’, opens during daylight hours as well. It has applied for planning permission to open up in the building which also houses the Boston Tea Party, the Wolf Ink tattoo parlour, a yoga studio and the popular Cavern live music venue.
It is a Grade Two listed building in Exeter’s central conservation area.
The premises in the planning proposal is the site of the former hairdresser Toni&Guy, in Queen Street, Exeter.
Image: Google Street View.
Insomnia is applying for permission to fit out the ground and first floors and install a new door and new signage featuring the company’s logo of a half moon-shaped cookie.
The application says: “From a design perspective, it is considered that the proposed collection of works will significantly improve and enhance this existing, commercial premises, whilst also remaining sympathetic to any remaining historic significance and interest associated with the wider building, primarily its exterior.”
Insomnia Cookies – ‘fiercely devoted to doing things differently’ – was founded in Pennsylvania, USA in 2003 by two university students and first entered the UK market in 2021, opening its first stores in Manchester. It also expanded to Bristol, and has stores in Leeds, Nottingham and Sheffield.
The company specialises in delivering warm cookies, baked goods and ice cream, although the branches are also open for pick-ups. There are more than 265 stores, mainly located in America, Canada and the UK.
Many stores are located in close proximity to university campuses and cater to students who want to order cookies after hours.
Its website declares: “Insomnia Cookies has become a cult brand in the US known for its rabid following of cookie lovers who crave Insomnia’s warm, delicious delivery all day and late into the night.”
