Bonds of Elswick to have a new man behind the scoop

Ice cream flavours on offer inside Bonds of Elswick

Simon Rigby has made a major change to how Bonds ice cream operates.

The multi-millionaire owner of the Guild Hall has let the cafe, kiosk and restaurant to current managing director of Leftmove estate agents Ross Wallis.

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“I am a big believer in owner managed businesses being more efficient and resilient than managed operations. This is particularly true where you have local artisan businesses.”

The Guild Hall owner, who recently made changes at Fives bar which he owns and now operates directly, bought Bonds in December last year when it was on the brink of going out of business.

Martin Molloy and Simon Rigby agree the deal for Bonds

He said: “I bought Bonds to preserve the local character and flavour, literally, of Bonds not to operate it myself.

“Ross is committed to the local area and is a successful operator of both cafes and restaurants and I believe will do a great job of keeping Bonds at the heart of our community.”

The new man at the helm is Mr Wallis who says he is ‘proud’ to take on the famous Lancashire brand.

He told Blog Preston: “I’m delighted to have taken the reigns of this already very popular business and am excited for the future of the brand.

“I have many childhood memories of visiting Bonds and am proud to have been trusted by the Rigby Family to become custodian.

“My team have plenty of fresh ideas to carry the business forward and look forward to the Summer when many of my plans will come to fruition.”

Mr Rigby confirmed the support Mr Wallis would receive from his group and the future of the two Bonds sites.

He said: “In order to provide a seamless transition at this busy time of year Michael Simkin my Manager if Bonds of Elswick is working with Ross until the New Year.

“Ice cream production at Elswick and Bonds in the Guild Hall are both unaffected by this letting.”

What do you think of the move? Let us know in the comments below