Ancoats’ coolest event

The Gelato in July Ice Cream Festival, Manchester's first ice cream festival, takes place at one of Manchester's newest city centre developments and gives you a chance to discover what was once Manchester's Little Italy.

Hosted by developers ISIS Waterside Regeneration, the new festival will give visitors an insight into the history of the area which was formerly the heart of the Italian community in the city.

Ice cream manufacture was a key employer in Ancoats due to the large influx of Italians to Manchester during the late 19th and early 20th century. A selection of photographs documenting this and how the community evolved will be on display at Islington Wharf throughout the day.

Local historian Tony Rea’s family came to Manchester from Arpino, Italy around 1922 (after a brief stint in Chester) and started making ice cream in the 1930s. The business has been passed down through the generations and although Rea left the company in 1999, his cousins continue today and will be supplying the real-Italian ice cream for visitors to the festival. Rea will be giving a talk about his family during the afternoon.

There will be traditional Italian food and drink, a tasty selection of deli meats, cheeses and wines on offer at the canal side of the development. Ice cream takes centre stage and will be available in a van on site. All this will be accompanied by live music.

Islington Wharf's sales team will be on hand throughout the day to give tours of the development and inform buyers about Homebuy direct offer for first time buyers which ends in September and allows them to purchase a home at Islington Wharf with as little as £3,499 deposit needed.

Visitors to the festival will be able to enter a competition and may £1,500 worth of travel vouchers for a holiday of their choice with Thomas Cook. To enter visit the Islington Wharf sales office on Great Ancoats Street before 1 August and fill in an entry form.

The event takes place from noon till 4pm and is free for everyone.

The marketing suite at Islington Wharf and show apartments are open from Monday to Friday 10.30am - 5.30pm, Saturday 10.30am - 5pm and Sunday 11am – 4pm. For more information visit www.islingtonwharf.co.uk, or call 08701 622522