An award-winning Welsh ice cream business is bringing delight to customers and bucking the economic trend by opening its second ice cream parlour.
The Fablas Ice Cream Parlour opened on Porthcawl’s Esplanade at the weekend, where customers patiently queued two metres apart to try the array of locally produced ice cream.
Mother and daughter team – Michelle and Lauren Evans – began their dairy dream four years ago when they bought Vale of Glamorgan ice cream business, Fablas Ice Cream.
Since then, the business has grown – creating much needed jobs in the local area, and opening retail outlets including its flagship ice cream parlour in Cowbridge and a distinctive pink pop-up pod at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet in Bridgend. There are also plans to open a third parlour in 2021.
Lauren admits, “We came into the ice cream world complete novices, but with our passion, drive and love for our brand we have come a long way in a short time.”
Keen to support Welsh farmers, Fablas sources its creamy milk from Tŷ Tanglwyst Dairy in near-by Pyle.
Then, at Fablas’ production unit on the Penllyn Estate Farm in Cowbridge, traditional methods are used to create a huge range of award-winning, luxury handmade Welsh ice cream. Among the latest flavours devised by Michelle and Lauren are Ruby Chocolate, Marshmallow, and Candyfloss.
The current social distancing restrictions mean that – for now – the ice cream parlour can only operate a take-away service. However, when customers are allowed to sit in the parlour Lauren and Michelle are adamant they will find “an experience” waiting for them.
Lauren says, “We’ve got some really exciting products – including new flavours, a machine where we can make ice-cream on the spot, and our Chocolate Tap, which pours Belgian chocolate over the ice cream.
“We’re restricted at the moment but once we can get back to normality then we’ll also be able to offer coffee and a range of patisserie. We want people to see something different every time.”
Like most food and drink businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic has hit Fablas hard, but says Lauren, while plans may have been delayed they are resolutely focussing on the future.
Lauren explains, “Our Porthcawl parlour was meant to open on April 6th, but we went into lockdown. From an ice cream business point of view we had the three winter months followed by three months of lockdown. That’s six months income, so it has been really hard, but we sat tight and waited.”
However, those six months have been put to good use, with new flavours devised, and the launch of a new website www.fablasicecream.com
Also, with the support of Cywain a range of 500ml take-home tubs have been created. Cywain has also helped Fablas with brand positioning, marketing advice and in developing the wholesale side of the business.
Cywain Development Manager, Nia Môn, said “I’m so glad that with the opening of the new parlour in Porthcawl we can finally see the results of Michelle and Lauren’s hard work. They are also continuing to work on new opportunities to expand their markets on the wholesale side of their business as well.”
