A VINTAGE tricycle complete with original ice cream container is the latest mode of transport to be added to a couple’s quirky collection of catering vehicles.
Partners Robert Dunbar and Simon Adamson, of Boldron, have expanded their unusual range of vehicles which also includes a double decker bus cafe to horsebox bar, to take in the vintage ice cream tricycle in a new catering venture named Dunbareli’s.
The pair, originally from Northallerton and Wishaw, in Scotland, respectively, have enjoyed success with their unique range of eye-catching outside catering vehicles since moving to the area five years ago.
They have catered to a variety of events including a private function at the side of Derwentside to celebrate the WI’s centenary, to music festivals as well as a range of weekly markets with their double decker and single decker buses, which have been adapted into unusual mobile cafes.
Trained chef Mr Dunbar said: “With the double decker we always had to think about the route we took getting to places in case there were height restrictions and it only really had a top speed of 40mph, so it did take an age to get anywhere. The trike is going to be a lot easier to get around.”
The couple have since sold the single decker cafe bus and are contemplating whether to further convert the double decker cafe into luxury “glamping” accommodation for the campsite they also run at their home, Cross Keys Farm off the A66 near Boldron.
Mr Dunbar said: “I’ve always wanted to run an ice cream parlour and years ago I told a colleague and she joked I should call it Dunbareli’s.
“The name just stuck with me since then. We’ve already got a number of bookings for next year including at the Sage in Newcastle and the Marriott.
“And we had a great response when we visited a wedding fayre last week.”
The tricycle, which dates back to the 1950s, was carefully restored by Mr Adamson with the help of Caygill Bicycles in Richmond.
He stripped every section of the trike down, clearing away years of rust and dirt before it was reassembled and painted. The ice cream carrier, which would have originally been filled with ice to keep the sorbets cool, is also original.
Mr Dunbar’s long term plan includes making their own sorbets and ice creams but are supplied by an award-winning Scottish company, Equi’s, which makes 25 varieties of authentic gelato.
Mr Adamson said: “We’re always looking for something different to do.
“And we’ve had a lot of interest so far as the trike is a little unusual.
The great thing about the campsite is we can run both businesses at the same time.”
The duo say the ice cream trike will be available for all kinds of events including weddings, christenings, birthdays and festivals.
