ICE CREAM LADY EYES HOT SPELL
Sunnier weather a boost after year in which so many community events were axed
AS temperatures slowly begin to rise after a chilly start to April, families across the area are no doubt keeping their fingers crossed they will be enjoying more sunshine and warm weather.
And ice cream sellers across North Staffordshire are making sure the chimes in the vans are ready to sound out as they look to hit the streets and profit from a hot spell.
Leek-based ice cream van owner Nicola Dale is hoping that warmer weather will banish all memories of the lockdown that forced her to put her business on ice.
Five years ago Nicola decided to take the plunge and invest in a van - although she was initially aiming for savoury rather than sweet. The 54-year-old, who delivers all around Leek and Cheddleton, said: “My background is in catering and five years ago I was looking for a sandwich van. But it was an ice cream van which came up and so I decided to go for it.”
Nicola, known as the Ice Cream Lady, says it was a tough learning curve to find out the methods of making ice cream and getting to grips with how the machines inside the van operate.
She said: “It is not as easy as people think! “I used a supplier run by an Italian family and they were really helpful. I learned a lot from what they showed me.” The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in scores of community events being cancelled and Nicola says it was tough to make it through.
She said: “I am just hoping that the weather carries on improving this week!
“When it’s warm weather and the sun is shining it’s a lovely atmosphere serving ice cream. Nobody is ever miserable when they come to be served for an ice cream.
“I use fresh mix and I like to put a lot of effort into the presentation.”
Warmer temperatures across North Staffordshire and South Cheshire saw scores of drinkers head out to beer gardens.
Pubs and restaurants have been looking for outdoor options as they won’t be allowed to serve food and drink indoors until May 17 under the Government’s roadmap for lockdown easing.
Nobody is ever miserable when they come to be served for an ice cream Nicola Dale, known as the Ice Cream Lady