A BORDERS ice cream business has been named as one of the best ice cream parlours in the UK.

Giacopazzi’s Gelato in Eyemouth was named as one of two runners-up at the first Ice Cream Parlour of the Year awards, organised by the Ice Cream Alliance (ICA).

Giacopazzi's was founded in 1900 by Peter Giacopazzi's family who moved to Scotland from Northern Italy.

Kerry Waddell, the sales and marketing manager for Giacopazzi's Wholesale Ice Cream and partner to Peter – who is the company's proprietor – said: “We are extremely proud to have been a finalist and runner-up and are really glad we made the effort to enter this great new competition.

"We would like to think that it was the combined efforts of our team, our product, style and presentation that got us this far in the competition.”

The parlour, which can be found at 20 Harbour Road, won the second place award after being judged on its premises, machinery, equipment, hygiene, and ice cream quality and display.

Then it was visited by an independent mystery shopper.

ICA president Katy Alston said: “Congratulations to Giacopazzi’s Gelato for being one of our two runners-up in the UK Ice Cream Parlour of the Year Competition.

"What a fantastic achievement.

"This award gave parlours a chance to shout about their creativity, professionalism and customer service and for our sector to showcase the very best parlours in the country.”

The Ice Cream Parlour of the Year award was sponsored by Antonelli.co.uk, a UK manufacturer of waffle, wafer, and sugar cones, and supplier of ice cream ingredients founded in 1912.

Mark Antonelli, director of sales and technical support at Antonelli, said: “The Ice Cream Parlour of the Year competition has been several years in the making, so it is with great joy that we are finally here and Antonelli are proud to support it.

“Arguably the last couple of years in the ice cream trade have been the most difficult in most of our lifetimes.

"Investing in a parlour business by continuing to maintain the highest of standards, will not only instil pride in those who work there, but build on the relationship with customers. The Ice Cream Parlour of the Year competition recognises this commitment and will I trust add value to the runners-up parlours reputation.”

“Congratulations to a very worthy runner-up, Giacopazzi’s Gelato, from all at Antonelli.”