About Mr B’s Ice Cream

Our Story

The current owners, Russell and Isla Hales, took over Mr B’s in April 2026, fulfilling their long-held dream of living and working in Cornwall.

For Russell, the business has always held a special place in his heart. Having grown up in Hayle, he was a lifelong fan of Mr B’s and made sure Isla experienced his favourite ice cream shop on their very first trip to Cornwall together from London in 2019. Their love of Mr B’s became part of their own story when the iconic retro ice cream van served guests at their wedding at Nancarrow in 2023, giving family and friends a taste of what made it such a special place to them. At the time, they never imagined that less than three years later they would become the proud owners, taking over the business from Nigel and Nikki Walters.

A Proud Heritage

Mr B’s was founded in 2007 by Kirk Barden and his family, who opened Hayle’s first dedicated ice cream parlour on Penpol Terrace. Using authentic Italian gelato recipes, premium Italian flavourings and fresh local ingredients, they quickly built a reputation for producing exceptional artisan ice cream. The shop became a favourite with both locals and visitors, leading to the opening of a second parlour in Copperhouse in 2012. Around the same time, the business invested in its now-iconic retro ice cream van, which continues to bring smiles to weddings, parties and special events across Cornwall today.

In 2016, Kirk retired to pursue new adventures and passed the business to local couple Nigel and Nikki Walters. Committed to preserving everything customers loved about Mr B’s, they proudly maintained its tradition of producing high-quality artisan ice cream while supporting the business’s continued growth. During their ownership, production moved to a purpose-built facility at Guildford Park in Hayle, allowing Mr B’s to meet increasing demand while maintaining the same high standards of quality.

Today, Russell and Isla are honoured to continue the story of Mr B’s. Building on nearly two decades of craftsmanship, community and Cornish heritage, they remain committed to producing the delicious artisan ice cream that generations of customers have come to know and love, while creating new memories for many years to come.