'The first ice cream I ever sold cost 10p'

"The first ice cream I ever sold cost 10p, 15p with a flake," recalls 72‑year‑old Dipak Davda.

Davda has been embracing the summer heatwave as he celebrates 44 years of swirling cones and adding syrup to ice cream for people in Leicester.

He said it was now a pleasure to sell the cool treat to the children of the children he served in the 1980s and 1990s.

Davda, a familiar face at local events, festivals and parks with his fleet of Mr Whippy vans, said he was still passionate about his job and enjoyed bringing smiles to the community.

He said he was searching for a new job in his 30s when his brother‑in‑law, who had an ice cream van, encouraged him to give it a try.

Davda, from the Belgrave area, said: "I worked with him selling ice cream for a while.

"I thought, 'This is a good business, I'll start my own'.

"I loved it and never looked back."

He recalls how the menu in the 1980s was simple and the prices were more affordable.

"The first ice cream I ever sold cost 10p, 15p if you wanted a flake, and ice lollies cost only 5p," he said.

"I used to fill my fuel tank up for £8 and now in my new van it costs me £90 to £100 to fill it up for work."

Davda said over the decades he has had to adapt to customers' desires for different flavours, colours and combinations of ice cream.

"The options back then were simple - ice cream with a flake and sauce," he said.

"Now there are so many different types, and gelatos, slushies and new toppings."

His business has grown from one van to a fleet, and he has been able to offer his services at events across Leicestershire including festivals, fetes and weddings.

Davda is now even selling ice cream cones to different generations.

"There was one girl I served, who moved to America, and came back to Leicester with her kids," he said.

"I've done wedding receptions for couples and then later for their sons and daughters. It's lovely."

His daughter, Mita Davda, who helped her father as a child and continues to support him, said: "I grew up surrounded by ice cream.

"I remember saving up for 1p sweets, but it was better to save 10p and get an ice cream from my dad.

"Everyone at school knew me as Mr Whippy's daughter."

Mita said it was only fitting her father had his van to treat her wedding guests, adding: "He's never missed a job."

Davda said the key to his longevity was delivering an honest service with a smile.

"The same principles apply to this day," he said.

"I like to keep my van nice and clean, and keep my prices fair.

"I don't think we'll ever not have ice cream sellers, people always look forward to seeing the ice cream van," he added.

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