Darlington has welcomed a town centre ice cream parlour with open arms, and The Northern Echo had to go and check it out.

Rainbow Scoops has opened on Tubwell Row and boasts 80 different flavours, 16 of which are vegan, so there’s sure to be something for everyone.

The husband and wife duo running the shop is Arran and Julie Last and after opening briefly during the Jubilee weekend to gauge how popular the shop would be, they officially opened last Monday (June 6).

The Northern Echo: Rainbow Scoops opened last week on Tubwell Row in Darlington. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTRainbow Scoops opened last week on Tubwell Row in Darlington. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

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Arran said: “It’s been quite busy actually since we opened. We’re the only ice cream parlour in the town centre, although there are some desert places on the outskirts of town.

“We’ve got 80 flavours so hopefully there should be something for everyone. Our range sets us apart from other ice cream parlours because we’ve got 16 flavours of each kind.

“We decided to open an ice cream parlour about two years ago but things got delayed because of Covid. I’ve spent my life working in retail on the corporate side of things and this just seems more fun. Everyone who comes in here is happy and it’s just lovely to be around happy people.”

The Northern Echo: Arran Last runs the shop with his wife, Julie. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTArran Last runs the shop with his wife, Julie. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

The vegan selection includes 12 ice creams made with either coconut milk or almond milk, as well as four sorbets.

The Northern Echo: There are 80 flavours to choose from, 16 of which are vegan. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTThere are 80 flavours to choose from, 16 of which are vegan. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

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The Marshfield Farm ice cream selection is mostly made with clotted cream, making it an ideal choice for those who like rich and creamy desserts.

Rainbow Scoops also offers 16 flavours of Carte D’Or ice creams, including the shop’s most popular flavour, Chocolate Brownie.

The Northern Echo: Ice creams are available in tubs or cones. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTIce creams are available in tubs or cones. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

The Yorvale ice creams are mainly made with double cream and the Italian-style gelato selection is made with less cream and churned slower at a higher temperature, giving a denser consistency.

The Northern Echo: There's an ice cream for everyone at Rainbow Scoops. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTThere's an ice cream for everyone at Rainbow Scoops. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

The Northern Echo can confirm that Funky Banana, Vegan Strawberry and Champagne, Fig and Brandy, and Lemon Curd were a big hit with us.

The Northern Echo: We of course had to do a taste test. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTWe of course had to do a taste test. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

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Arran mainly handles the shop floor while his wife, Julie, works more behind the scenes and does the all important ordering of the ice cream. Julie is also responsible for the fun and colourful interior of the shop.

The Northern Echo: The shop also has indoor seating. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTThe shop also has indoor seating. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

The couple, who currently live in Richmond, used to own a café and small ice cream parlour in Wallsend around six years ago and decided to open somewhere for the ice cream lovers of Darlington.

The Northern Echo: The interior is bright and colourful. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTThe interior is bright and colourful. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

If ice cream is not your thing, the shop also offers sundaes, slushies, milkshakes and waffles.

The shop is open Monday to Friday from 11am to 7pm and 10am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

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