Pictured (L-R) at the opening of the third Nugelato store on High Street in Bangor is Lynsey Cunningham, Director of Entrepreneurship at Ulster Bank, owners Catriona and Michael Nugent and John Ferris, Entrepreneur Development Manager at Ulster Bank (Darren Kidd/Press Eye)

 A popular chain of ice cream stores has opened its third outlet in Bangor following a £150k investment in production facilities creating ten new jobs, with the support of Ulster Bank’s Entrepreneur Accelerator.

Nugelato opened its first store on Central Promenade in Newcastle in 2015. An instant sensation, owners Catriona and Michael Nugent quickly followed this up with the opening of a second store in Newry the following year in 2016.

The third outlet in Bangor is also Nugelato’s first franchise.

The new venture will create an additional ten new jobs in the north Down area, adding to the 40 jobs Nugelato has created since it first opened in 2015.

Nugelato is a participant in Ulster Bank’s Entrepreneur Accelerator, a fully-funded programme designed to empower entrepreneurs by providing emerging and established businesses with practical support, advice and access to resources including workspace and meeting facilities, learning tools, legal and tech advice, and access to Ulster Bank teams and networks.

Applications are currently open for the next intake at the Ulster Bank Entrepreneur Accelerator.

Based on a traditional family recipe since 1930, Nugelato offers a modern take on quality, handmade ice cream by combining it with a unique “chocolate experience” explains Michael.

“We introduced the first hot chocolate tap to Northern Ireland which we imported direct from Italy and our customers travel from far and wide to experience chocolate on tap. It’s a firm fan favourite as is our signature Nuggypot.”

The “ice cream boutique” offers a wide selection of handmade ice cream, gelato and sundaes to sit in or takeaway and boasts over 1000 combinations.

Michael explained how rising demand for their award-winning ice cream meant that opening a third store was only a matter of time.

“In 2017 we invested significantly to expand our production and manufacturing facilities. Demand in both Newry and Newcastle had exceeded expectation and surpassed our production capacity, so we were keen to invest in a third site,” he said.

“We’re thrilled to open our third store in Bangor and to introduce an exciting new take on the traditional seaside ice cream.”

John Ferris, Entrepreneur Development Manager at Ulster Bank, said: “The Nugelato team exemplifies the type of entrepreneurs we work with daily at the Ulster Bank Entrepreneur Accelerator. We guide and support established retail businesses like Nugelato to reach their full potential, alongside exciting start-ups across a range of spectrums. It’s a real privilege to be involved in the journey with Catriona and Michael as they grow Nugelato into one of the most exciting modern Irish brands. It’s important that the support networks are in place to nurture Northern Ireland’s growing sense of entrepreneurship and enable our emerging business leaders to pursue success across an increasing number of industries in domestic and international markets.”

Applications are now open for the next intake at the Ulster Bank Entrepreneur Accelerator. For more information and to apply, visit www.ulsterbank.co.uk/accelerator.