Ice Cream Van Owners Stage Protest in Belfast

Story by dellak

Posted at 15:04 Tue 15th May 2012 IST

If you were in Belfast today you would have seen quite an unusual sight. A fleet of ice cream vans with their chimes blaring took to the streets of Belfast city centre as part of a protest against the refusal to let them trade at Balmoral agricultural show. They claim the organisers have brought in a fleet of operators from Scotland. The story has caused quite a stir online. Take a look.

@davidjrice
David Rice Ice Cream vans are driving round Belfast city centre on protest. Music blaring. Not selling ice cream. So sad. So hungry.
May 15 via web Favorite Retweet Reply

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A spokeswoman for Balmoral Show denies refusing the local ice cream vans entry to the show which begins tomorrow.

A procession of ice cream vans have staged a protest in Belfast city centre today over rights to sell their frosty treats at the Balmoral Show this year.

Six ice cream vans circled Belfast City Hall this morning playing their distinctive music and displaying banners which read “Shame on Balmoral Show. No local ice cream vans welcome” and “From 2006 Scottish ice cream vans at show, why?”.

However a spokeswoman for Balmoral Show said they do have local ice cream companies exhibiting at the show including Braemar Farm from Castlerock, Tickety Moo from Enniskillen and Glastry from Newtownards. She said that ice cream contracts are part of an overall catering contract for the show.

From Newsletter.co.uk

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This image was taken by @MissNancyWray…

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The protest got quite a few people chatting online with some even creating their own headlines for the story. Below are just some of the tweets that caught our eye.

@culabula
Éamonn Ó Catháin  Seems the ice-cream van protest in Belfast has caused quite a ripple.
May 15 via Osfoora HD Favorite Retweet Reply

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@paddyhoey
paddyhoey BBC estimates numbers involved in ice cream van protest in Belfast as: 'somewhere between hundreds and thousands.'
May 15 via Gravity! Favorite Retweet Reply

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@patrick_kane_
Patrick Kane concerned the ice cream protest may turn violent: hearing reports several vans are carrying Magnums #conegate
May 15 via Twitter for Mac Favorite Retweet Reply

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@chilloutweed
Ivan Breaking News: Icecream van protest at Belfast City Hall. Police have coned the area off.
May 15 via Echofon Favorite Retweet Reply

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@Kneez
David Rowney Seem to be an ice-cream van protest happening in Belfast. Or else they are out cruising. I've got 99 problems but getting attention ain't 1
May 15 via Twitterrific Favorite Retweet Reply