Temperatures are rising - and so are ice cream prices

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With scorching temperatures forecast this weekend, many people will be heading to the beach - and no seaside trip is complete without an ice cream.

But families visiting the Welsh coast this summer could face some of the highest prices in Britain, with three Welsh destinations ranking among the UK's most expensive seaside spots for a cone.

Porthmadog in Gwynedd came out on top, with a single scoop costing an average of £3.85, while a two-scoop cone was around £5.28, according to analysis by credit card company Zable.

Aberystwyth ranked fourth nationally with £3.65, while Tenby placed eighth with £3.33.

The Ice Cream Alliance was asked to comment.

It comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves took steps to ease the cost of living crisis for UK households, including easing the import taxes on some basic foods to lower prices.

Biscuits, chocolate, dried fruit and nuts are among more than 100 products which will see targeted cuts to import charges on food from overseas. The full list of products included in the measures will be published next week.

The scheme announcement comes as households experience rising fuel prices at the pumps, and are bracing themselves for higher energy and food bills due to the war in Iran disrupting supply chains.

Zable's figures give an indication of the variety of ice creams prices across the UK if not a definitive price list.

The credit card firm said it analysed prices at a small sample of top‑rated ice cream parlours in 33 seaside locations, using online menus or direct enquiries to calculate an average cost for one and two scoops of vanilla ice cream cones.

Researchers analysed prices at up to five top-rated ice cream parlours in each destination to calculate an average figure.

Barton-on-Sea in Hampshire was named Britain's cheapest seaside destination for ice cream, with a single scoop costing an average of £1.95.

For a family of four, that comes to £7.80 for one scoop each - roughly half the equivalent cost in Porthmadog.

No Welsh seaside town appeared in the cheapest destinations list.

Hortense Gregory, who lives in Harlech, Gwynedd, said she was shocked and would not be buying an ice cream at that cost.

"It's quite expensive, isn't it." she said.

"I can get a lot for that."

Similarly, Kerri Underhill, from Solihull in Birmingham, whose mother is an ice cream seller, said she was surprised by prices in Porthmadog.

She was visiting the seaside town with friends and said she paid £20 for four ice creams with toppings on Thursday, which she described as "expensive".

"But everyone wants an ice cream when they go to the seaside."

Local couple Andrea and Ian Merriduw said they usually went to nearby Beddgelert as it was "better value".

Ian said he would not pay £3.85 for a single scoop.

However, Andrea said it was "worth paying extra for good ice cream" but admitted it would be "too expensive" for a family.

Another local, Lisa, who was going rowing, said despite the cost she would still buy one after her session.

Asked about the £3.85 price, she said: "Depends how nice it is - if it's nice, proper ice cream then yeah, not cheap Mr Whippy though."

She added it could cost more in fuel to travel elsewhere for cheaper ice cream, but said: "It's a lot of money isn't it if its a family."

Helen Holland

Helen Holland, from Bodorgan on Anglesey, has run ice cream business Môn ar Lwy for 18 years.

But rising production and admin costs have led her to retire this year.

"The increase has been phenomenal," she said, blaming shortages of vanilla and soaring chocolate prices for pushing costs "sky high".

She said the previous year's drought may have contributed to the vanilla shortage.

Ice cream parlours have previously pointed to the mounting costs of ingredients like sprinkles and cocoa powder which have hit the industry.

Helen explained how growing paperwork, VAT and other business costs had also become overwhelming.

"It's just paper chasing, lots of it, so all in all, yes I've had enough."

Helen said businesses had little choice but to pass costs on to customers, recalling paying £4.75 for an ice cream in Llandudno.

"I thought, goodness me, this is seriously expensive but yes, but I do understand the reasons behind it.

"But that's the climate we live in."

Helen Holland

Helen believes customers understand the increases because everyone is feeling the pressure of rising living costs.

"I think everybody is pinching here and there.

"Having an ice cream or smoothie or something, it's a real treat these days," she said.

"Whereas before you didn't even think about [the cost of] having an ice cream.

"Now you've got to make that decision am I going to treat myself or not?"

Helen added that producers working together and buying in bulk could help businesses cope in future.

Additional reporting by George Herd