A dad was left speechless after shelling out a whopping £40 for just four classic "99" ice creams at a popular Brighton beach kiosk – with the eye-watering receipt going viral online.
The Great Ice Cream Scandal
Paul Smith, 42, expected to pay around £12 for the treats during a family day out. But when the vendor handed him the receipt, he couldn't believe his eyes: £9.99 per cone, totaling £39.96 for four.
"I nearly dropped my flake," Paul told reporters. "Since when does a 99 cost a tenner? My childhood summers were built on 50p cones!"
Seaside Price Surge
The incident has reignited debates about:
- Rising costs at UK tourist hotspots
- The shrinking size of classic treats
- Whether "99" still means 99p anywhere
Local vendors defended the prices, citing:
- Increased dairy costs
- Seaside rent hikes
- Staffing challenges
Social Media Erupts
Twitter users shared their own "ice cream horror stories," with one recalling £7.50 for a single scoop in Cornwall. Others joked they'd need to "take out a loan for a Fab" next summer.
As families reconsider seaside budgets, one thing's clear – the days of cheap beach treats may be melting away faster than a 99 in the July sun.
