Family ice-cream business scoops record sales

A Cheshire-based family ice cream business is churning out record growth after securing a distribution deal with one of the UK’s fastest-growing food wholesalers.

Cheshire Farm Ice Cream, which produces more than 50 flavours of real dairy ice cream, sorbets and plant-based options, partnered with Harlech Foodservice 12 months ago. 

The collaboration has led to a forecasted sales increase to over 65,000 litres, with 153 new stockists added in just 10 months, as Harlech Foodservice’s fleet of 65 vehicles and 250 staff has enabled the ice cream manufacturer to reach “much bigger markets” across Wales, the North West and the West Midlands.

Ed Warrington, wholesale manager for Cheshire Farm Ice Cream, said: “We have been supplying ice cream parlours, pubs, restaurants and hotels for over 30 years via our own fleet of temperature-controlled vehicles.

“Then Harlech called us to talk about a partnership and it made perfect sense – both of our brands have good recognition locally and we share the same values as we are both family businesses.

“Getting our products onto Harlech’s wheels has opened up much bigger markets as they supply to a much wider area taking in all of Wales, the North West and the West Midlands.”

Chris Gregson, head of sales for Harlech Foodservice, which last year announced a £6 million expansion plan and has since created 75 new jobs, added: “Cheshire Farm Ice Cream have nine vans but with us they now have another 65 vehicles delivering their products six days a week and they now have the potential for hundreds of new customers across the whole of Wales.

“This year we are expecting an increase in sales of over 300 per cent and we are training our 30 strong sales team in selling over 20 varieties of Cheshire Farm Ice Cream, which we see as a top-quality product with a wide appeal.”

Founded in 1986 by dairy farmers Tom and Margaret Fell, Cheshire Farm Ice Cream began as a small ice-cream shop on the Bolesworth Estate and has since expanded into wholesale.

Today, sons Graeme and Jonathan Fell lead operations, with Graeme managing production and distribution while Jonathan oversees The Ice Cream Farm visitor attraction, which welcomes 750,000 visitors annually.

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