A Peterhead activity centre stopped in its tracks by lockdown just six months after opening is hoping its new ice cream garden will whip up some new visitors.
Willie and Nicola Cruden took over the former Queen Street arcade and brought it back to its former glory as Wheelie World activity centre in September.
The centre for family activities, amusements, axe-throwing and eating employed eight staff but was forced to close when lockdown came into force in March.
“We were just getting up and running and had to close our doors, which was a disaster,” Mr Cruden said. “We spent a fortune doing it up and getting it running well. We were getting a really good reception and feedback. We will get back up and running as soon as it’s safe to do so, though.”
In the meantime, the Peterhead couple have been quick to diversify, first offering takeaway coffee and donut deliveries before opening an outdoor ice cream garden in the front courtyard.
“We’ve had to furlough our staff so have been working hard to develop new ways and activities to keep the business going so that we can bring them back,” Mr Cruden added. “Social distancing just wouldn’t work for a lot of what we offer as they’re hands-on activities.”
Instead he’s hoping the draw of an Ice Combers cappy or hatty, depending on whether you’re from Peterhead or Fraserburgh, will keep the business bustling until it can open fully.
The ice cream garden is open daily from noon to 5pm.