Ice-cream van could be based at Icart next year

The privately owner Icart kiosk has been shut since 2017, leaving islanders with a walk to Saints Bay for the nearest kiosk.

But now the Silvester Group has applied for planning permission to install a moveable catering van on the east boundary of the car park. Residents are pleased there will be some form of place for people to stop off for a drink or snack at Icart.

‘It’s an enhancement to the area so it is a good thing,’ said John Hart.

‘If we are out gardening we get the occasional angry tourist say over the wall how they are disappointed that there is still a sign pointing up to the kiosks and they walk up and there is nothing there, so it will be great to have.’

Michelle Ball, who also lives in Icart Road, said that she missed having the cafe.

‘I wish the kiosk would come back,’ she said.

‘Something needs to happen, people miss that there is not a cafe.’

Silvester Group managing director Natalia Silvester said she thought the site was a good opportunity for a tourist venture.

‘I’m a caterer and project person and it came up in a discussion with someone that it is a shame there is nothing there and how it is a shame the cafe never re-opened, so I thought I would do something,’ she said.

Mrs Silvester said would take the time to see what food and drink offer would work best.

‘Like with the rest of our establishments, we will do classics with a twist,’ she said.

A planning application for the site currently intends that a catering van will only be temporarily in place for the 2025 summer season.

But Mrs Silvester intends to run it from 10am to 6pm seven days a week.