Cecil On Ice is a vintage 1972 Bedford CF Whitby Morrison ice cream van which has been lovingly restored by Adam Costantin and been converted to sell both Roskilly’s ice cream and cocktails for weddings, parties and events all over Cornwall and beyond.

Having been suddenly made redundant from his previous job in marketing last November, Adam decided to seize the chance to start his own business from Rame Cross near Penryn. With a family background in catering and a strong interest in good Cornish food and drink, the idea of Cecil On Ice came naturally.

“The start of the business was an incredibly stressful time for myself and girlfriend”, said Adam. “Having been made redundant two weeks after the birth of our first child, I had some big decisions to make.”

What followed was nine months of hard work and a steep learning curve. The van was lovingly restored from the chassis up, using the couple's savings, while Adam also received business start-up support, training and mentoring from his local job centre and Penwith Community Development Trust.

He said: “I’ve heard plenty of stories of the negativity and loss of pride many people feel when made redundant. However, my experience of the help that is on offer is so positive. I only met kind and helpful people who took the time to guide me through the challenges faced when starting a business.”

The wedding industry is huge in Cornwall, with couples frequently looking for something unique to remember their big day by. As the only ice cream van that doubles as a cocktail bar in Cornwall, Cecil On Ice certainly matches this criteria. However, Adam believes that the unique nature of the vehicle is not the only reason it will be a hit. He is strong advocate of the Cornish food and drinks market, and where possible only uses local and seasonal ingredients and produce for his cocktails.

“We are totally flexible to the needs of your event and you can hire us to simply serve ice cream, reception drinks, or cocktails all night long,” he said.