Council chiefs agree with cycling salesman's n-ice idea
Exclusive By Jack Blanchard » Couretsy of Worcester News
Exclusive By Jack Blanchard » Couretsy of Worcester News
A CYCLING salesman has been given permission to sell traditional locally-made ice cream in Worcester city centre from his purpose-built bike.
Stephen Connelly and his custom-made, cow-themed bicycle Daisy will be seen along Worcester’s High Street on sunny days after being granted an unprecedented city centre-wide licence by Worcester City Council.
Mr Connelly and Daisy, who have been operating in Malvern for the past two years, will offer cones and tubs of Worcester-made Bennett’s ice cream in a selection of flavours throughout the spring and summer months.
Speaking at a meeting of the city council’s licensing committee, Mr Connelly said: “I will provide locally-produced ice cream and the best customer service to citizens and visitors in Worcester.”
Concerns had been raised about Mr Connelly's application by Visit Worcester, the city's tourist board, which has a policy of not allowing mobile food sellers such as hot dog stands to set up in the High Street.
However, an exception was made in Mr Connelly's case after he pledged to move on every 20 minutes.
Visit Worcester head Georgia Smith also claimed that as there were a number of outlets selling ice cream in the city centre “there would seem to be little need for a mobile pitch as well”.
But Mr Connelly convinced members of the licensing committee that he would be offering something different.
“I will be the only retailer in Worcester High Street selling wholly local produce,” he said.
“I’m offering something that very few outlets of Worcester actually sell – Bennett’s ice cream in cones.”
Committee member Councillor Marc Bayliss stressed how important it would be for the city that Mr Connelly provided good customer service to its visitors.
The ice cream man said: “We’ve had no complaints in Malvern. We have a very good record with environmental health and the tourist board.
“We pride ourselves on good customer service. We engage our customers in conversation and provide them with lots of information. We have a good reputation – it's part of the ethos of my organisation.”
Mr Connelly also responded to the committee's other concerns by pledging to keep the streets clean of ice cream tubs, and not to trade in front of other stores or close to other ice cream vendors.
He said: “That's no problem. I don't want ice cream wars – I've been involved in that in the past and it's not worth the grief.”
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