End of an era

The Tarr family say they are 'devastated' to announce they will have to close due to rising costs.

Deana Pimm and her nephew Bradley Tarr work at their family's business Tarr's Ice Cream in Bristol

Staff at a much-loved family-run ice cream business say they are 'devastated' after announcing it is closing its doors after 106 years of business due to rising costs.

Tarr's Ice Cream first opened in the Brislington area of Bristol in the 1920s and fast became a place where local families would head to get a treat. It was also named Bristol's Family Business of the Year in 2018.

But after weathering through the lockdowns of Covid-19 and struggling with the continuing rising costs of operating, the family said things were 'extremely difficult' to sustain.

Bradley Tarr, a fourth generation member of the family, said: 'It is a sad time. . . but it's had to happen unfortunately. 'He added that he found an old annual electric bill from 2012 for £14,000, compared to last year's bill of £78,000.

The family-run business opened in Brislington in the 1920s

Although Bradley said it was a sad time, he said the situation was 'easier' for him to come to terms with as he had seen the business 'struggle more' compared to his older relatives.

'I feel more sorry for the people who have spent their whole lives doing it - my grandad, my great auntie Vera, my auntie Deana who's still working in the business, my mum - who's worked there ever since I can remember - my sister who still works there part-time. . . it's very sad, but I know it's the right time,' he said.

He added that the family felt 'a cocktail of emotions' with a mixture of pride and sadness, but they would remember the good times.

In a post on social media, external which gained thousands of responses from customers past and present, the family shared a 'heartfelt thank you'.