Key Results AT A glance
Believed to be the world’s longest and highest-specification ice cream van
Designed to serve in excess of 15,000 ice creams
Dual serving areas created for fast, high-volume service & four individual points of sale
Two Carpigiani Aria soft ice cream machines & Two Carpigiani Aria Smart slush machines
Bespoke operator workspace designed for festivals, sporting events and other high-footfall locations
CLIENT OVERVIEW
Based in Dublin, Mark Falconer came to Whitby Morrison with a big idea. He wanted to create the ultimate event ice cream van: a vehicle that would make an unforgettable impression while also having the capacity to serve exceptionally large crowds.
The van would be used at major festivals, sporting events and other busy locations, so it needed to be bold, reliable and incredibly efficient. Most importantly, it had to be more than just an impressive-looking vehicle. Every part of the design needed to support Mark and his team during the busiest trading periods.
THE CHALLENGE
Serving ice cream at a major event comes with a very different set of challenges from trading at a traditional pitch.
Large numbers of customers can arrive within a very short period, creating long queues and putting pressure on both the team and the equipment.
Mark needed a vehicle that could keep people moving. It had to provide enough space for several members of staff to work comfortably, while also accommodating multiple ice cream and slush machines and several individual sales points.
The internal layout needed to be carefully planned so that staff could take orders, prepare products and serve customers without getting in one another’s way. At the same time, Mark wanted something that would immediately stand out.
The van needed to become part of the event experience itself: something people would notice, talk about and remember long after the day was over.
THE SOLUTION
Whitby Morrison worked closely with Mark to turn his ambitious vision into a completely bespoke vehicle.
Built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 519 chassis cab and featuring Whitby Morrison’s iconic Mondial bodywork, the finished van is believed to be the world’s longest and highest-specification ice cream van. Its scale certainly turns heads, but every part of the additional space has been designed with performance and practicality in mind.
Dual Serving Areas
The vehicle features two dedicated serving areas, allowing customers to be served from multiple positions at the same time.
This helps the team manage large crowds and keep queues moving during busy trading periods. It also gives staff more room to work, making it easier to maintain a quick and organised service even when demand is at its highest.
Four Points of Sale
Four individual points of sale allow several team members to take orders and payments simultaneously. At a major festival or sporting event, where thousands of customers may be looking to buy within a limited period, this additional capacity can make a significant difference. It allows Mark’s team to serve more people, reduce waiting times and make the most of every trading opportunity.
High-Capacity Serving Equipment
To support the demands of large-scale event trading, the vehicle has been fitted with:
- Two Carpigiani Aria soft ice cream machines
- Two Carpigiani Aria Smart slush machines
The combination gives the team the capacity to offer a varied menu while maintaining the speed and consistency required during the busiest periods. With multiple machines operating alongside the van’s dual serving areas, several orders can be prepared at once.
A Workspace Built Around the Team
Behind the serving hatches, the workspace has been carefully planned around how the vehicle will be used in the real world.
Every piece of equipment has been positioned to create a natural flow from taking an order to preparing and handing over the product. There is space for multiple team members to work together, while the premium interior finishes create a smart and professional environment. The layout is designed to help the team stay organised, work comfortably and maintain a consistently high standard of service throughout long and demanding events.
Built to Make an Impact
The van’s remarkable length gives it an unmistakable presence. At a busy festival or event, where operators are competing for attention, that visibility is a major advantage.
It creates an immediate talking point and gives customers a clear destination to head towards, while the scale of the vehicle reflects the capacity and quality of the operation inside.
The result
The finished vehicle is one of the most ambitious and unusual projects Whitby Morrison has ever completed. It has the capacity to serve in excess of 15,000 ice creams, supported by two soft ice cream machines, two slush machines, dual serving areas and four individual points of sale.
This allows multiple members of staff to serve customers at the same time, helping the team manage large crowds and maintain a fast, efficient service.
Its size and premium specification also give Mark a vehicle that is almost impossible to overlook. The result is a van that combines memorable design with serious commercial capability, helping the business stand out while providing the practical capacity needed to perform at major events.
