Family-owned ice cream firm set up in 1899 in liquidation

Duncan Raggett of AAB Business & Tax Advisory LLP has been appointed liquidator by the directors of the company.

He said: “I am undertaking my statutory duties and investigations into the company’s assets and helping the employees with their claims to the Redundancy Payments Service. Creditors will be updated on progress in line with the usual statutory reporting timeframe.”

Di Rollo of Musselburgh was established in 1899 by Domenico Di Rollo who emigrated from the Italian village of Cassino to East Lothian.

What started as a humble ice cream and confectionery shop quickly blossomed into a thriving enterprise, with Domenico expanding to a second location within just a few years.

In the early 1950s, Domenico’s son, also named Domenico, spearheaded the establishment of the manufacturing and wholesale arm of the business, propelling Di Rollo to new heights.

By 1977, the family had erected new premises to accommodate their growing operations, with a third generation of Di Rollos at the helm.

Reno and Kevin, the sons of young Domenico, infused the business with fresh innovation, introducing an array of ice cream and sorbet flavours.

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As demand soared, Di Rollo embarked on a journey of expansion, culminating in the construction of a state-of-the-art facility in 1994 capable of churning out more than 600 litres of ice cream per hour while adhering to the highest EU standards for food production.

The shop, Elena Di Rollo, on Bridge Street, Musselburgh, is not affiliated to Di Rollo Ice Cream (UK) Ltd, and is open for business as normal.

In 1986, Elaine Di Rollo, young Domenico's daughter, took over the shop on Bridge Street, running it as a separate business from the ice cream factory and transforming it into what it is today. She is still running the shop with her daughter Marianne and will celebrate 40 years in business in March this year. It is believed Elena Di Rollo’s was the first business in the area to stock luxury Belgian chocolates, and Marianne has developed a reputation for her “elaborate window displays.”

Elena Di Rollo's was being supplied by the ice cream factory until it closed.

Elaine said: “Elena Di Rollo’s is open for business as normal. We continue to serve the people of Musselburgh with luxury chocolates, coffees, cakes and delicious ice cream.  We currently have a small supply of Di Rollo ice cream.”

 “We thank our customers for their continued custom and support.”

 She added: “It’s so sad and worrying to see well rooted independent businesses folding in the area. The garden centre at Strawberry Corner and now Di Rollo ice cream factory. It’s imperative that the community support all our independent businesses and give them the best chance of survival.

"As a fellow business pointed out, it’s the small local businesses that support and donate to your school fetes and charity nights. The community needs us, so please shop local and support all our independent businesses. We are lucky in Musselburgh to have such a strong community and may that continue.”

Elaine and Marianne also took to the shop’s Facebook page this week to reassure customers that the shop was not closing and was trading as normal.

They said: “Thank you so much for all the kind messages of support. It has been lovely to see just how much Di Rollo ice cream (the product) has been loved by so many people over the years.

“We’re delighted our new ice cream has already been very well received, with one flavour selling out!

“After many hours of taste testing and careful consideration we’re confident that our new range meets the high standards of the former Di Rollo quality, flavour profile, and craftsmanship. We sincerely hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

“We look forward to welcoming you to our shop soon.”