Free ice cream and gelato will be available for Chester city centre visitors coming to see the Duke of Westminster's wedding on Friday, June 7.

As part of local celebrations for their wedding, The Duke of Westminster Hugh Grosvenor and fiancée Olivia Henson are delighted to support three fantastic independent city-centre businesses by subsidising free ice-cream, gelato and sorbet on the big day.

From 10am, throughout the day, people will be able to get a free ice-cream or gelato from one of the established city centre ice-cream shops.

These are:

  • Cheshire Farm Ice Cream based in the heart of the Chester Market, offering a range of Cheshire Farm single-scoop ice-creams or slices of a new lemon-sponge flavoured Arctic roll. The lemon-flavoured Arctic roll has been created in acknowledgement of The Duke and Olivia’s lemon-flavoured wedding cake that guests will be served at the wedding reception.
  • Diddy Donuts underneath the Eastgate Clock, offering a single scoop of ice-cream, a small portion of their donuts or water, tea and coffee.
  • Krum Gelato positioned at the top of Watergate Street near the Cross, offering a single scoop from a range of freshly made gelato and sorbets.

As part of their wedding preparations, The Duke and Olivia are keen to support local or regional businesses wherever possible. The initiative follows the recent announcement that the couple are funding the city’s Summer Flowers project, arranged by Chester’s Business Improvement District (BID), that will see more than 100,000 flowers planted in displays across the city in the coming weeks.

The Duke and Olivia continue to be thankful for all the good wishes they have received from people in Chester ahead of their wedding, which will take place at noon at Chester Cathedral.

His Grace The Duke of Westminster and Olivia Henson. Picture: Simon Warburton.

His Grace The Duke of Westminster and Olivia Henson. Picture: Simon Warburton.

Previously speaking to The Standard about the wedding, the Duke said: "I'm unbelievably excited and I also wanted to make it very clear how unbelievably helpful people have been, how supportive they've been so far, which I'm unbelievably grateful for because I do realise that it's going to be a big, big thing for the city."

A large number of road closures will be in place throughout the city centre on the day, and people are advised to check before travelling.

Ed Warrington, owner of Cheshire Farm Ice Cream outlets, said: “As a local business we’re delighted to be part of The Duke and Olivia’s initiative to provide free ice cream to the public in celebration of their wedding. All at Cheshire Farm Ice Cream wish them the very best for their wedding day.”

Craig Fermor, owner of Diddy Donuts, said: “Here at Diddy Donuts we are very excited about the upcoming wedding between The Duke of Westminster and Miss Olivia Henson.

"Many of our customers have been talking about it and there’s a real buzz around the city. Chester is a great place to run a business and I’m expecting the atmosphere in the city centre on the wedding day to be really special.

“As a small, family run, business, in such a prominent location, we always feel that, in a small way, we are representing Chester and so we were delighted, flattered and proud when we were asked to serve refreshments to people visiting the city on the day of the wedding.

“It’s a lovely touch from the couple and will put a lot of smiles on faces. We wish The Duke of Westminster and Miss Olivia Henson all the best for the big day and hope they enjoy many happy years together.”

Fabrizio Gobbato, co-owner and CEO of Krum Gelato, said: “We are delighted to take part in this wonderful initiative from The Duke and Olivia.

"Over and above serving gelato from our shop all day, we will also be making a bespoke lemon sorbet flavour which will mirror the couple’s wedding cake. We would like to thank The Duke and Olivia and wish them the very best for the day and in the future together.”