Ice cream sales increase ‘massively’ as heatwave continues

As temperatures pass 30 degrees Celsius, business is booming for ice cream outlets in Horsham town centre, with customers looking for a way to keep cool.

Confectioneries such as Candy Box, in the Carfax, have therefore enjoyed the heat as much as anyone.

Owner Howard Bayliss said: “This is my first summer here, but I can say that ice cream sales in the last two or three weeks have gone up massively.

“We run a promotion with Independent’s Month, and if you have a deal running people are more inclined to stop and have an ice cream.

“The bottom line is the sun brings in customers. Without stating the obvious, if it is a wet summer there is no inclination to go to the town centre.”

The increase in customers is beneficial for these businesses but presents new challenges - as has been found out at Thorntons, in Swan Walk.

Manager Alex Bohan said ice creams make up a ‘high proportion’ of the company’s profit.

She added: “We have been selling out, running low on stock and not being able to get it in quick enough.

“People have been coming in later on in the afternoon saying “I’ve been looking forward to this all day!” - they come here specifically.”

With the heatwave set to continue this week, ice cream sales in Horsham should stay as high as the temperatures.