CUSTOMERS from as far as Canada have shared fond memories of an iconic Cumbrian ice cream shop following its shock closure.
Hartley’s Ice Cream, which had shops in Egremont and St Bees and supplied businesses across Cumbria and the Lake District, announced it had closed down this week.
The company cited the ‘unseasonal’ summer weather and rising costs as reasons behind the decision to cease trading.
An outpouring of love has since been shown by customers of the famous ice cream business, which had been part of the community for 94 years.
Lisa Daniels, Yvaine Daniels, 6 and Benjamin Daniels, 2, enjoy a Hartley’s ice cream at an event in Bootle in June 2014 (Image: Ashton Bowthorn)
Kim Noctor was introduced to the ice cream by her husband after moving to west Cumbria from Canada in 1989.
She said: “Whenever my family or friends came to visit from Canada I always had it on hand or went to the shop or St Bees with them for a cone.
“It became a firm favourite with everyone who always commented on the rich creaminess – vanilla being the favourite. I’m so sad it has gone, it will be a big miss and wish I still had some in my freezer.”
Mark Richardson, owner of Hartley’s Ice Cream, in one of the iconic white ice cream vans (Image: Mike McKenzie)
Gemma Polmear, who grew up in Seascale but now lives in Nottingham, said: “Hartley’s vanilla is the flavour of my summer time youth – there’s nothing quite like it. No other vanilla tastes the same! A large 99 with a squirt of red sauce when the van came round was the ultimate summer treat.
“I’ve now moved away but visit regularly; my daughters love the bubblegum and parma violet flavours best. I wish we’d known our last visit would have been the last ever.”
Twins Jack and Luke Pae, 17 months old, Adam, Jake and Joshua Knox, enjoy a taste of Hartley’s ice cream at St Bees on May 30, 2006 (Image: John Story)
Annie Wilson, who lives in Cleator, said: “Hartley’s shop in Egremont was part of my family’s and so many others’ lives and now that they live away we often go to the St Bees beach cafe and buy Hartleys with their children.
“The smell of diesel always reminds my partner of the distinctive Hartley’s vans and real ice cream. Hartley’s will be part of nostalgic West Cumbria’s rich heritage – a huge miss from Whitehaven harbour. Best wishes for the future to everyone involved.”
Jayne Park, of St Bees, whose two children have worked for Hartley’s, said: “It wasn’t just the establishment that was special but the people who owned the business. Both Mark and Shirley have been such amazing people to two of our children – our son Lewis especially.
“It’s very rare you find such kind and generous people like the Richardson family. The business shall be a huge miss to our little village of St Bees. So sad and my thoughts are with the whole Richardson family.”
A selection of ice creams at the Egremont Hartley’s shop in 2010 (Image: The Whitehaven News archive)
Former deputy mayor of Copeland, Lena Hogg, who lives in Egremont, said: “Hartley’s ice cream has been part of Egremont as long as I can remember. In fact, the factory was right opposite the house I lived until I was five years old, and considering that I am 83 this year, that’s a lifetime.
“It has been part of the history of the town and brought people in from some from the surrounding areas others that were tourists and visitors to the area, but had heard about the unique flavours and tastes of the product. The ‘fame’ spread even further once they opened the cafe/shop at St. Bees.
“It is very sad to lose part of the town’s retail history but I’m sure the decision was not made lightly and I wish them all the best for the future and thank them for the past.”
Mark and Sylvia Richardson, owners of Hartley’s Ice Cream, pictured outside the St Bees beach shop and cafe in 2006 (Image: John Story)
Hartley’s Ice Cream was established in 1931 by Grayson Hartley who had a sawmill in Egremont but wanted to do something else.
He moved into Church Street and started making ice cream. This is where the famous Hartley’s ice cream was still being produced, nearly a century later.
Billy Hartley gradually took over from his father and his name became synonymous with the business. It was later taken over by Billy’s friend, Les Richardson, and was being run by Les’ elder son, Mark and his wife, Shirley, at the time of its closure.