AN ICE cream maker celebrating its 125th year is embarking on a new chapter.

Di Rollo of Musselburgh was established in 1899 by Domenico Di Rollo, who ventured from the Italian village of Cassino to East Lothian.

What started as a humble ice cream and confectionery shop quickly blossomed into a thriving enterprise, with Domenico expanding to a second location within just a few years.

Now, the business, which has premises on Musselburgh’s South Street, has been acquired by London-based Syn3rgy Capital.

John Evans, CEO of Syn3rgy Capital, said: “We’re excited to welcome Di Rollo of Musselburgh into the Syn3rgy Capital family.

“Di Rollo’s longstanding reputation for quality and innovation perfectly complements our investment strategy.

“We’re eager to support their continued success and expansion, building upon their impressive legacy in the industry.”

Third generation

In the early 1950s, Domenico’s son, also named Domenico, spearheaded the establishment of the manufacturing and wholesale arm of the business, propelling Di Rollo to new heights.

By 1977, the family had erected new premises to accommodate their growing operations, with a third generation of Di Rollos at the helm.

Reno and Kevin, the sons of young Domenico, infused the business with fresh innovation, introducing an array of ice cream and sorbet flavours.

As demand soared, Di Rollo embarked on a journey of expansion, culminating in the construction of a state-of-the-art facility in 1994 capable of churning out more than 600 litres of ice cream per hour while adhering to the highest EU standards for food production.

A spokesperson for Di Rollo stressed that there would be no change for customers, with the business looking to grow throughout East Lothian and Scotland.

Mr Evans said: “As Di Rollo of Musselburgh embarks on this new journey with Syn3rgy Capital, the company remains deeply rooted in its commitment to its home town of Musselburgh.

“As we grow and evolve, we are dedicated to bringing forth more job opportunities to our community and contributing to its prosperity.

“Our connection to Musselburgh is not just geographical; it’s emotional and personal.

“We are immensely proud of our heritage and the generations of families who have supported us throughout the years.

“Looking ahead, Syn3rgy Capital and Di Rollo are steadfast in our mission to not only expand within the Lothians but also to share the magic of our products with every corner of Scotland. Together, we will continue to craft delicious moments and create cherished memories for generations to come.”

Elena Di Rollo, on Bridge Street, will remain under the ownership of Elaine Di Rollo and and will still be providing the people of Musselburgh with delicious Di Rollo ice cream.