Holy Island ice cream company reveals vegan pivot after expansion grant

A Northumberland ice cream company has announced that it is becoming entirely vegan after receiving grant assistance for expansion.

Pilgrims Gelato, based on Holy Island, has received the grant from the North of Tyne Rural Business Growth Service Programme, partially funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Since its inception in 2011, the company has aimed to create vegan gelatos, and is now cutting all its dairy-based lines.

It also has a focus on sustainability, with all of its products now served in aluminum tubs and with edible spoons.

Charlotte Thompson, co-founder, said: “We wanted our gelato to be enjoyed by everyone, irrespective of whether they have any allergies or dietary requirements, which is why we decided to go vegan and free from.

“The ethos has been to make a remarkable product that stands out for its flavour as well as its vegan and free from credentials, which we think we have achieved.

“As a business we are striving to make everything we do as environmentally friendly as we can do at the current time.

“We see it as our duty to create a delicious and sustainable future for us all, which is why the packaging was so important for us.”