Rum and raisin? You’ll need a licence for that

AN ICE cream vendor has been told he can no longer sell his rum and raisin flavour because it is too alcoholic.

Gavin Murray opened Just Ice in Derby Market Hall four months ago and hoped to sell the classic choice to his customers.

But council chiefs said the business had to apply for a licence because his rum and raisin has an alcohol content greater than 0.5 per cent, meaning it is classed as alcoholic.

Mr Murray now faces paying £1,000 for the correct paperwork under the Licensing Act, or he can modify the production process to burn off all the alcohol.

The 47-year-old said: “Rum and raisin is an old classic and has always been there. They are two flavours that go together really well and the people of Derby definitely love it, we get people asking for it at least once a week. It’s especially popular among people who are a little older than teenagers.

“Alcohol is a dangerous substance … But I think you would have to eat a lot of it to be affected by the booze. You probably would be sick before you felt the effects of the alcohol.”

Mick Barker, a Derby councillor and lead member for licensing, said: “Rum and raisin is a classic. If Just Ice applies for a licence they will be able to sell this flavour, no problem.”