Luxury ice-cream maker Joe Delucci’s has closed its doors for good and entered liquidation, marking the end of one of Britain’s best-known premium gelato brands.
The West Midlands-based company, which once operated a mix of retail parlours, wholesale distribution and franchise outlets, appointed Quantuma partners Andrew Watling and Duncan Beat as joint liquidators on 25 September 2025.
Founded with ambitions to bring authentic Italian gelato to the UK, Joe Delucci’s built a loyal following through its presence in major shopping destinations, including Westfield London, Brent Cross and Brighton. The brand had already faced financial difficulties, having been rescued from administration four years earlier, but the latest challenges proved too great to overcome.
According to the liquidators, a combination of factors contributed to the company’s downfall. A wet summer in 2023 dampened ice-cream sales, while rising wage and National Insurance costs, a decline in footfall at Westfield, and the expense of relocating its head office further strained the business. The company’s profitability had also been eroded by earlier fluctuations in the pound-to-euro exchange rate, which drove up the cost of imported ingredients.
At the time of its closure, Joe Delucci’s employed 13 staff across its head office and the Westfield parlour, which shut in May. The wholesale and franchising divisions were sold prior to liquidation in a bid to preserve some value.
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In a statement, the liquidators described the situation as “deeply regrettable,” citing “a series of challenging circumstances” that ultimately forced the business to cease trading. Their immediate focus, they said, would be on supporting affected employees and maximising returns for creditors.
The collapse of Joe Delucci’s highlights the fragile state of Britain’s premium food and drink market, particularly for brands reliant on high-rent retail environments and seasonal consumer demand. While the nation’s taste for artisan and luxury products remains strong, many operators are struggling to withstand rising costs, shifting shopping patterns and unpredictable weather.
For Joe Delucci’s, once a shining example of the UK’s appetite for continental-style indulgence, the final scoop has been served.
