Welcome to Rossi’s Ice Cream Parlour A Southport Seaside Institution Since 1950.
Tucked away on Nevill Street, just a stone’s throw from Southport’s iconic promenade, Rossi’s Ice Cream Parlour has stood as a beloved symbol of British seaside tradition for over 70 years.
This treasured family business traces its roots to the 1920s, when Gennaro Rossi, an Italian immigrant with a gift for gelato, began making ice cream in the County Durham town of Bishop Auckland. His sons, Hector and Horace, carried that tradition to Southport, where they founded a parlour that would serve generations of locals and holidaymakers alike.
Established in 1950, Rossi’s quickly became a staple of seaside life. Families queued along the street for its soft-serve cones, pastel-coloured sundaes, and hand-scooped flavours — each served with warmth and unmistakable charm. For many, a trip to Rossi’s was as much a part of the Southport experience as the pier and the sand dunes.
Over the decades, Rossi’s was awarded multiple diplomas and accolades for excellence in ice cream making — recognition of its craftsmanship, consistency, and cherished role in the community. The shop’s window display, often adorned with vintage signage and classic sweets, became a familiar sight to countless returning visitors.
Though the business has passed through different hands over the years, its heart has remained true to its origins. The flavours, the friendliness, and the sense of nostalgia have endured — a living link between the past and present.
