Ice cream man's 'proudest moment' to scoop award

The owner of an ice cream van says being named the best in the UK was one of the proudest moments of his career.

Warren Dickens, of Warren's Ice Cream in Southampton, was named Mobiler of the Year 2026 at the Ice Cream Alliance's Golden Scoop Awards.

Warren, who first started selling ice cream at 17 years old, said he believed he won because of his consistency and the fact he loves what he does.

The Ice Cream Alliance said his victory was "well deserved" and that all of this year's award winners represented the "hard work, innovation and commitment that keep the UK ice cream industry thriving".

Warren started working in an ice cream van as a weekend job to earn some extra pocket money.

"I really enjoyed what I was doing," he told BBC Radio Solent.

"I saw an opportunity for an ice cream van, I bought it, and the rest is history."

Since then, he has built a successful business with five cafes and a fleet of 15 vans serving communities across the south of England.

"To win mobiler of the year 2026 is such an incredible feeling, and one of the proudest moments of my career," he said.

"It makes the long hours and hard work worthwhile.

"It is a fantastic boost for not just me, but the whole team to be recognised."

The Golden Scoop Awards is organised by the Ice Cream Alliance, which has been running for more than eight decades, and celebrate the "very best in ice cream".

It said the Mobiler of the Year award recognised "outstanding dedication to mobile ice cream retailing and service across the UK".

When asked why he thinks he scooped the award, Warren said: "We're consistent, we've got some loyal customers, we cater for so many different people.

"There are so many dietary requirements nowadays and we have something for everyone."