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As London experiences soaring temperatures, one might naturally think that ice cream vendors are benefiting from increased sales during the heatwaves. However, for Gus Bodur, better known locally as Gussy the Ice Cream Man, the intense heat presents significant difficulties alongside any potential advantages. Operating his ice cream van in north-west London, Gus and his children find themselves battling the sweltering conditions inside the van, which acts like a “glasshouse.” Meanwhile, the machinery struggles to maintain frozen treats like slushies, creating an ongoing challenge. Gus explained to BBC London, “It’s a bit tricky now because obviously we depend on the hot weather. You can’t have ice cream in the cold and in the rain. But this heatwave has taken it to another level now. I think all ice cream sellers are struggling, and that is the truth.”
Gus’s connection to the ice cream trade stretches back about fifty years and runs deep within his family history. Born in Whitechapel, Gus’s father emigrated from Cyprus and started selling fresh fruit and ice cream at a stall in Piccadilly Circus in the late 1950s. Gus began working alongside his father at the age of 14 during summer holidays. He recalls those early days, saying, “I used to have three milk crates, so I used to stand on these milk crates and lift up the lid of the freezer and just serve ice cream. I was like the little Artful Dodger.” Over time, Gus transitioned from the stall to an ice cream van, becoming a familiar figure in areas including Golders Green and Hampstead. His enthusiasm for the job remains strong: “I love what I do. I love meeting people every day. I think it’s the greatest job on the planet.”
The business Gus started is now a multi-generational family affair. His children have become active participants in the enterprise; daughter Chloe operates her own ice cream van, while son Oliver works both in the van and at the parlour the family opened recently in Brent Cross Town in 2022. Gus’s son-in-law, Jaya, contributes by developing recipes and making ice cream for the family business. Oliver reflected on the family’s shared commitment: “My dad raised us with as much pride as ever, and that’s me and my sister doing what we do to help him. He wants us to do well in our lives.” Chloe also commented on the family legacy, expressing, “When you hear my dad speak, he’ll always say, ‘I want to leave something behind for my kids’. But we’ve got this mutual love going back towards him and appreciate the hard work that he’s done so much that we’re now working hard to create a legacy for him, and for my granddad’s hard work as well.”
Facing the extreme heat during current heatwaves, Gus adopts practical strategies to cope with the harsh conditions, such as placing a wet flannel on his head and drinking plenty of water, complemented by an occasional cup of tea. Reflecting on past experiences, he mentioned the heatwave of 1976 but noted that today’s conditions are far more severe and sustained: “It’s not one day, it’s one week, it’s two weeks. We’re just soldiers and we’re trying to do the best that we can. We drink loads of water and try to serve our ice cream and give everybody a smile.” For Gus and his family, persevering through the heat is part of continuing the tradition and keeping the community’s love for ice cream alive
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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