An ice cream supplier has ceased trading after being hit by the cost of a head office move and a wet summer impacting sales.

Leamington Spa-based Joe Delucci's was founded in 2022 and traded as both a wholesaler and retailer.

It ran a shop in the Westfield shopping centre in London while outlets in Brent Cross and Brighton were operated by franchisees.

But Andrew Watling and Duncan Beat, from business advisory firm Quantuma, were appointed as joint liquidators last month, resulting in 13 job losses across the company.

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Quantuma said in a statement: "The company's financial difficulties are initially attributable to events arising in 2023, including additional costs incurred when relocating its head office as well as a wet summer, resulting in reduced sales.

"Other contributing factors were a reduced footfall in the Westfield shopping centre along with increased costs such as raises in wages and National Insurance.

"The Westfield ice cream parlour shut in May, due to being increasingly unsustainable and head office staff were made redundant prior to the liquidation.

"The wholesale and franchising operations were sold prior to the liquidation."

Mr Watling added: "It is deeply regrettable that Joe Delucci's has been forced to cease trading, due to a series of challenging circumstances.

"As joint liquidators, our immediate priorities have been to provide appropriate support to those whose jobs have been affected while seeking to obtain maximum value for the company's creditors."