Thousands of tubs of ice cream from the now-closed Subzero business are being sold in a single auction lot following the sudden closure of all of its shops.
The lot, being auctioned online, includes 4,290 750ml retail packs, 1,405 five-litre scoop tubs and 3,400 125ml retail packs with spoons in the lid. The auction is being held by Gavel Auctions, with the stock located at Subzero's premises in Tonypandy and its listing estimates the stock had a wholesale value of around £57,000 plus VAT.
Bidding details
Bidding had reached £620 by October 6, with 66 bids recorded. A buyer's premium of 15% and VAT of 20% on the hammer price also apply. The auction is due to close from 10am on Friday, October 9.
It comes days after Subzero confirmed that the business had ceased trading, bringing an end to a company whose history in south Wales dates back more than six decades.
A six-decade history
Subzero's roots can be traced to 1959, when the Jenkins family opened an ice cream shop in Penygraig under the name Mr Creemy. The business changed its name to Subzero in 2009 following a trademark issue and subsequently expanded, operating parlours in the Rhondda, Caerphilly and Newport.
It became known for its locally made ice cream, as well as waffles, crepes and ice cream cakes. Its products were also sold through supermarkets and independent retailers.
Customer impact
The closure came with little warning for customers. Subzero's website and social media accounts disappeared and its parlours closed, while some customers arrived at shops to collect orders they had already placed.
One customer, Samantha Stevens from Mountain Ash, had ordered an ice cream cake for her daughter's 13th birthday from the Williamstown store near Penygraig. She had been told by email that the cake was ready for collection and was safely stored in the freezer. However, when she and her husband travelled to the shop, they found the shutters down. She later received an email saying the order had been refunded.
A team member from Subzero subsequently issued a farewell message, thanking customers for their support and describing the closure as "the end of an era".
It read: "Hello everyone, I would like to say, on behalf of all the Subzero team, thank you to the community and customers old and new, for all of your support over the years.
"Unfortunately today is officially the end of an era. Subzero ice cream is no longer active and so we as a team cannot continue our journey of providing locally made ice cream to you all.
"We have thoroughly enjoyed our time serving you all and seeing everyone young and old take joy from what we did.
"If it wasn't for the loyalty and spirit of the community, we wouldn't have been able to make Subzero what it was, and again for that we will be forever grateful. So from all the team, so long friends."
