Somerset ice cream business sales increase after subsidy

A Somerset ice cream business has seen a “significant increase” in sales after receiving an injection of government funding.

The government's England Rural Prosperity Fund (REPF) provides grants to small businesses and organizations in rural England.

Brickells Ice Cream, based between Bruton and Shepton Mallet, is one of the Somerset businesses to benefit from the first round of funding.

Brickells founder Robert Gore said: “As a result, we have already seen significant increases and we expect even more increases once the season begins.”

Somerset Council, which distributes funds on behalf of the Government, is currently inviting businesses and organizations to bid for a £2.5m share in the second funding round, with individuals receiving between £5,000 and £100,000. grants will be awarded.

REPF funds can be used to support new and existing local businesses that develop new products and facilities that broadly benefit the local economy.

It can also be used to support new and improved community infrastructure, provide community services and assets to local people and businesses, and benefit the local economy.

To qualify, the business or organization in question must be located in a town, village or hamlet with a population of less than 10,000 people, or in a “hub town” with a population of less than 30,000 people (Bridgewater, Taunton and Yeovil are all excluded).

Mr Gore said: “Thanks to the Rural Prosperity Fund for England, we have been able to increase production and support infrastructure so we can continue to grow and expand.

“Thanks to the match funding, we were able to sign a national distributorship and were confident that we could meet demand.”