Pokey Parlour is the cream of the crop

Pokey Parlour is situated in a shipping container in Carlisle's cultural hotspot that is Tribe, in Bitts Park.

David Lyttle, who hails from Northern Ireland, said: "When I was moving to Carlisle, I noticed there wasn't a a dedicated ice-cream shop in Carlisle. 

"Back home ice-cream parlours are massive, then Tribe came up out of the blue, and just jumped on it from there," he said. 

David, who also runs Carlisle Executive Cars and a car wash, said the reaction he's had from the community ever since opening last September has been great. 

"The community are loving it, it's a meeting point for groups, kids and walkers - it's a great location for children as you're right beside the park as well. 

"Tribe is really pushing the way in terms of a community hub and there is something for everyone in terms music and nights that get put on - the people of Carlisle are absolutely loving it, you only have to come down at the weekend to see it," he said.

Whilst serving delectable coffees and a mixture of great tasting ice-cream, offering both vegan and gluten free, some products in particular that keeps four-legged patrons coming back - Puppuccinos and doggie friendly ice-cream. 

"The dogs won't walk past the park because they know they're in their now," he said. 

Pedro testing out their flavoured Mint doggie ice cream

David said his love for the business comes from meeting people. 

"If I didn't enjoy it, I wouldn't be doing it and I like the atmosphere down there but I just hope to make bigger and better, not just for me but the whole community down there - I'm in the process of thinking about buying a bouncy castle to have down there for the weekends. 

"If we were in a bigger place obviously we would be doing more but we are limited for space down there, I would love to open a proper sit-down ice-cream parlour in Carlisle in the future," he said. 

You catch a cone at Pokey Parlour most of the time as it's open seven days a week from 10am - 5pm with a later opening times come summertime. get yourself down to see what all the fuss is about.

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