It’s been serving the Anglesey community delicious gelato for the past 10 years.
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Now more and more locals and visitors to North Wales are going to be able to enjoy the delights from Red Boat parlour ice-cream with more retail outlets opening and a new production hub, thanks to a loan from Development Bank of Wales.
The £292,000 loan has allowed owner Tony Green to launch two new shops in Plas Newydd and Llangefni, which will also form a new manufacturing production site.
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Tony has owned Red Boat Ice Cream Parlour for 10 years with his wife Lyn and originally set it up in Beaumaris, on Anglesey after extensive training in the art of ice-cream in the world famous Carpigiani University in Italy.
The business boasts wonderful and unique flavours, from Bakewell tart, chilli chocolate, and blackcurrant and liquorice to a seasonal turkey roast at Christmas time and Tony is looking forward to bring able to provide even more choices for customers in more outlets across the region.
Tony, 64, said: “I started the business in 2009 after studying in Bologna and was amazed by the passion and creativity of the gelato chefs. It’s amazing what you can do with a great imagination and an appreciative audience. Our main ice-cream production is carried out at the main trading premise in Beaumaris but as our loyal army of followers has grown and grown, we recognised the need to expand with more retail outlets and a larger production hub.”
Tony was introduced to Development Bank of Wales Investment Executive Scott Hughes, who saw the potential for expansion to boost trade and growth within the local community.
In addition to new jobs already created by the plans, Tony also aims to source produce locally whilst working with the local communities he serves.
“The funding has allowed us to open a small outlet in Menai Bridge, Prestatyn and one at the National Trust’s Plas Newydd site, which is obviously very exciting. We will also have the new production site at Llangefni, which will also offer retail space and a viewing gallery so that the public can view the ice-cream production and have a real visitor experience.
“We’ve identified a few more sites in popular North Wales tourist spots and are also working towards getting a SALSA (Small and Local Sales Association) accreditation, which would then allow us to be considered for stock in larger supermarkets. We are also working towards supplying restaurants with our gelato.”
Investment Executive Scott said: “Tony is passionate about his business and supporting the local economy which is aligned with our objectives. He’s invested significant time with a number of professionals to ensure he has the right plan to deliver a sustainable product in an ever-changing market whilst creating and safeguarding jobs.
“This was an ideal opportunity for us to demonstrate our ability to support a local business which had a need outside the traditional banking requirements but had a team with the capability and support to deliver.”
The funding came from the Wales Business Fund, which is part-funded by the ERDF, through the Welsh Government. It was created specifically to support business with fewer than 250 employees based in Wales and those willing to move here.
