UK’s 99 flake shortage yet to impact local kiosks

Cadbury had an unexpected increase in demand for the thinly folded chocolate ice cream toppers, after mainland lockdown restrictions eased on Monday.

At L’Islet Kiosk, proprietor Jenny Harding said the shortage had not been felt yet.

‘You have to bear in mind that things move very quickly in the summer,’ she said.

‘You can’t beat a Mr Whippy, especially on a hot day. You could get one on Christmas Eve here if you wanted to – they’re still very popular. Mr Whippy is something that has got that perennial appeal.’

Miss Harding said they are the ultimate diet-friendly ice cream.

‘These machines churn air into the cream, so you can go from 33% to 50% air, a bit like mousse. So if you’re ever thinking “Ooh, I shouldn’t really,” – really, you should.’

Tammy Duncombe and two friends bought the flaked soft-serve ice creams from the Mr Whippy ice cream van at Havelet.

‘It’s good to be able to get an ice cream with a flake,’ she said.

‘This is my first ice cream of the year. I probably would be disappointed if they didn’t have any flakes. We’re going to the UK so we’ll see what it’s like there.’

Alan Donaldson, Mr Whippy van owner, had just heard about the shortage.

‘I guess people have come out of lockdown and gone mad for ice cream,’ he said.

‘I try to keep enough to last two weeks, I’ve got to put an order in soon but if they run out I’ll just be without. I bet it’ll be like with the loo rolls now.

‘They’re still the most popular ice creams I do. I’m just waiting for it to warm up slightly, it’s not been bad since lockdown here.’

Fishy Tales Tea Room at the Model Yacht Pond still have a few boxes, and the treats are very popular there.