Cumbria’s iconic Hartley’s Ice Cream, a staple of the community for 94 years, has announced its closure, leaving customers from as far as Canada sharing heartfelt memories of the beloved brand. The company, which operated shops in Egremont and St Bees and supplied businesses across Cumbria and the Lake District, cited unseasonal summer weather and rising operational costs as reasons for ceasing operations.
Hartley’s Ice Cream, established in 1931 by Grayson Hartley, grew from a small venture in Egremont into a regional institution, known for its rich, creamy flavors and unique offerings. The business, later run by Mark Richardson and his wife Shirley, became a cornerstone of West Cumbrian culture, with its distinctive white vans and nostalgic flavors evoking cherished memories for generations of locals and visitors alike.
A Community in Mourning
The announcement of Hartley’s closure has sparked an outpouring of emotion from loyal customers, many of whom shared their fondest memories of the brand.
Kim Noctor, who moved to West Cumbria from Canada in 1989, recalled how Hartley’s became a must-have treat for her visiting family and friends. “It became a firm favourite with everyone who always commented on the rich creaminess—vanilla being the favourite,” she said. “I’m so sad it has gone. It will be a big miss.”
Gemma Polmear, who grew up in Seascale but now lives in Nottingham, described Hartley’s vanilla ice cream as “the flavour of my summer youth.” She added, “A large 99 with a squirt of red sauce when the van came round was the ultimate summer treat. I wish we’d known our last visit would have been the last ever.”
Annie Wilson, a Cleator resident, highlighted the brand’s deep ties to the community. “Hartley’s will be part of nostalgic West Cumbria’s rich heritage—a huge miss from Whitehaven harbour,” she said.
Jayne Park of St Bees, whose children worked for the company, praised the Richardson family for their kindness and generosity. “It wasn’t just the establishment that was special but the people who owned the business,” she said. “The business shall be a huge miss to our little village of St Bees.”
A Legacy of Flavor and Tradition
Hartley’s Ice Cream began in 1931 when Grayson Hartley, a sawmill owner in Egremont, decided to pivot to ice cream production. The business flourished under his son Billy Hartley, whose name became synonymous with the brand. Later, Billy’s friend Les Richardson took over, with Les’s son Mark and his wife Shirley running the business until its closure.
The company’s unique flavors, including bubblegum and Parma violet, became a hallmark of its identity, while its shops and vans became landmarks in the region. Lena Hogg, 83, a former deputy mayor of Copeland, reminisced about the brand’s enduring presence in Egremont. “It has been part of the history of the town,” she said. “It is very sad to lose part of the town’s retail history.”
A Bittersweet Farewell
While the closure marks the end of an era, the Richardson family’s legacy will live on in the memories of countless customers. Hartley’s Ice Cream was more than just a business—it was a symbol of community, tradition, and the simple joys of summer.
As the community bids farewell to this iconic brand, the outpouring of love and nostalgia serves as a testament to the indelible mark Hartley’s has left on West Cumbria and beyond.
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