South Tyneside mum launches cool business venture

A South Tyneside mum is hoping to enjoy the sweet taste of success after opening up a dessert lounge.
New ice cream, dessert and coffee lounge, Ghiaccio.
Owner Jayne FairleyNew ice cream, dessert and coffee lounge, Ghiaccio.
Owner Jayne Fairley
New ice cream, dessert and coffee lounge, Ghiaccio. Owner Jayne Fairley

Former civil servant Jayne Fairley, 42, has just launched her first business venture – Ghiaccio Ice Cream and Dessert Lounge, in Sunderland Road, South Shields.

Offering treats ranging from quirky ice cream pizzas to gluten-free desserts, the mum-of-two hopes the business will be a hit with residents.

New ice cream, dessert and coffee lounge, Ghiaccio.
Owner Jayne FairleyNew ice cream, dessert and coffee lounge, Ghiaccio.
Owner Jayne Fairley
New ice cream, dessert and coffee lounge, Ghiaccio. Owner Jayne Fairley
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She said: “This is my first business and it is something that I have been working towards for the last six years.

“I have been involved in everything from the design to picking its name, Ghiaccio, which means ice in Italian.

“Before this I had a job in safeguarding children for Gateshead Council, so it is a complete change.”

She added: “It was a case of leaving something that I loved, to do something that I really wanted to do.

New ice cream, dessert and coffee lounge, Ghiaccio.New ice cream, dessert and coffee lounge, Ghiaccio.
New ice cream, dessert and coffee lounge, Ghiaccio.

“I knew that I wanted to be 100% committed to it.

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“I love entertaining and just thought, ‘I am 42, I’m not getting any younger, so I should just go for it’.

The quirky business serves a range of tasty goods from Italian gelato to spaghetti bolognese made out of ice cream.

It is open from 10am to 6pm during weekdays and 11am to 5pm on Sundays.

New ice cream, dessert and coffee lounge, Ghiaccio.New ice cream, dessert and coffee lounge, Ghiaccio.
New ice cream, dessert and coffee lounge, Ghiaccio.

Mrs Fairley, from Strathmore Gardens, South Shields, who is mum to Dylan, 16, and Isabelle, six, added: “I have taken on seven members of staff and a lot of hard work has gone into it, as it used to be a newsagents before.

“The whole family has been involved in helping out.

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“We are trying to keep everything local and are using local suppliers, including Pink Lane Coffee, which is a brand based in Newcastle.

“I have always enjoyed being creative.

New ice cream, dessert and coffee lounge, Ghiaccio. Staff member Jack Charlesworth.New ice cream, dessert and coffee lounge, Ghiaccio. Staff member Jack Charlesworth.
New ice cream, dessert and coffee lounge, Ghiaccio. Staff member Jack Charlesworth.

“I love entertaining and have always wanted my own place like this.

“I love how food brings everyone together and just wanted to create a place where people could go to indulge.

“I am hoping to eventually do parties and even supply weddings.”