A new gelato bar on the edge of Hampstead Heath said it hopes to be "the shop of the neighbourhood".

Florentine gelato chain Badiani, in South End Road, Hampstead, officially opened on June 7 after serving its first customers on June 4.

Alice Gruni, head of business development, said at the intial opening: "We're glad you're all you are all here. Badiani is a family, we are one of the family and continue to be a family and each shop has a different colour because we want to be the shop of the neighbourhood."

Founded in Florence in 1932 by Idilio Badiani, the firm is now run by his two sons, Paolo and Patrizio, and Orazio Pomposi, whom the firm describes as the ‘gelato creative genius’.

The gelateria, formerly Hampstead institution Polly's Tea Room, is painted a pastel and blue and pink and offers dishes gelato burgers and ice lollies.

It offers more than 16 flavours of gelato, its most popular being the Buontalenti, made with only four ingredients,  milk, cream, sugar, and eggs.

There is also a range of vegan creations including dark chocolate, lemon, strawberry, apricot and mango sorbets.

Alice Gruni, of Badiani, said the team were 'glad to be here' in South End Green, HampsteadAlice Gruni, of Badiani, said the team were 'glad to be here' in South End Green, Hampstead (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

Customers at the opening particularly liked the Buontalenti, which they said was "deliciously creamy".

The pistachio gelato was a hit with several people and the apricot sorbet, "which tastes like jam", came as a complete surprise.

Alice said Badiani decided to keep the style of Polly's interior "to be in touch and in constant connection with the community".

She added: "We decided to keep this shop a very different style for the people that live in Hampstead."