Edinburgh ice cream: Mary’s Milk Bar reopens after successful trial run

Mary’s Milk Bar, a favourite of punters in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket, is set to reopen after successfully testing its social distancing measures over the last two weeks.

The ice cream parlour, which first started serving homemade scoops in 2013, will now open from Thursday to Sunday each week, from 11am to 6pm.

Mary Hillard, who runs the parlour, said she was delighted to get back up and running.

“It’s nice to see all the familiar faces,” she told the Evening News, “all the kids have grown half a foot!”

And the 33-year-old is optimistic about the progress the Milk Bar has made.

“We’re past the trial,” the 33 -year-old said, but “still learning as we go.

“We're getting there - we're still only open half the hours we would normally be at this time of year but hopefully we'll get there before the summer is out!” she added.

The Milk Bar, which serves coffees, sorbets and chocolates alongside ice cream, will only be serving confectionery for customers to take away.

The move is part of the shop’s new social distancing measures to keep staff and customers safe.

“We didn't have to change very much,” Mary explained. The team have set up a few barriers and removed the seats from the store.

“The change was more limiting staff and customer numbers to keep everyone two metres apart.

“Thankfully Edinburgh folks don't mind queuing outside in the rain!” she jokes.

“Everyone's been very patient and understanding so far so we're really happy.”

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