Business

Morelli's ice cream parlour refit brings new jobs to Portstewart

Pictured at the opening of the new Morelli's ice cream parlour in Portstewart are Damian Morelli, Ellen Morelli, Sharon Harris, Jocelyn Stewart and Sarah Travers. Photo: Kevin McAuley
Pictured at the opening of the new Morelli's ice cream parlour in Portstewart are Damian Morelli, Ellen Morelli, Sharon Harris, Jocelyn Stewart and Sarah Travers. Photo: Kevin McAuley Pictured at the opening of the new Morelli's ice cream parlour in Portstewart are Damian Morelli, Ellen Morelli, Sharon Harris, Jocelyn Stewart and Sarah Travers. Photo: Kevin McAuley

SIX new jobs have been created in Portstewart following a major investment to refit the iconic Morelli's ice cream parlour on the resort's main promenade.

Redesigning the floorspace has allowed for more seating and has doubled the carry-out facilities at the third-generation family-run business, which famously marked its centenary in 2011 by securing a place in the Guinness Book Of World Records when 2,728 people were eating its ice cream at the same time.

North coast resident and BBC presenter Sarah Travers officially opened the newly refurbished restaurant. She said: “I was practically brought up on Morelli's ice cream - what’s not to like?”

The occasion also had a community angle as Damian Morelli used it to help raise the profile of the Zachary Geddis 'Break The Silence' Trust. Yasmin Geddis spoke of the experience of losing her brother Zachary to suicide and of the work of the Trust.

The Morelli's double cream vanilla brand was recently voted National Supreme Champion at the Ice Cream Alliance national competition in Harrogate.

The overall champion award is the most prestigious in the UK and is judged by industry peers within the Ice Cream Alliance, the official trade body for the UK’s £1 billion ice cream industry.

The family dedicated the award to the late Guido Morelli, who died three years ago at the age of 81, and whose passion and dedication was a massive part of the success of the business.