How to Hire an Ice Cream Van: The Ultimate Booking Guide

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Hire an ice cream van

Nothing brings instant nostalgia, smiles, and sweet treats to an event. Quite like the iconic chime of an ice cream van. Whether you are planning a summer wedding, a school fete, a corporate staff appreciation day, or a private birthday bash, bringing in soft-serve catering is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

If you have never booked event catering on wheels before, you might wonder where to start. This complete guide covers the most common questions people ask when looking to hire an ice cream van for their special occasion.

How Does Hiring an Ice Cream Van Work?

Booking an ice cream van for any event with us is straight forward.

1 – Submit Your Details: Reach out to Mr Whippy Ice Cream with your event date, location, estimated guest count, and service duration.

2 – Receive a Personalised Quote: You will get a clear quote tailored to your headcount and requirements.

3 – Secure Your Date: Confirm your booking with us by choosing your package option, a secure payment link is sent to pay via PayPal to lock in your date on the calendar

4 – Enjoy the Day: The van arrives at your venue fully equipped, can play the traditional chimes, and serves our award winning freshly made ice cream treats directly to your guests. We are self effcient so no inuput is needed from you so sit back and relax.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire

Pricing depends on several key factors rather than a single fixed rate:

Number of Guests: Most private hire packages charge per head or offer set tiers based on guest count.
Event Duration: Standard bookings typically cover 2 hours of service time, which is usually plenty of time to serve up to 600 guests.
Location & Travel: Distance to your venue from the operator’s base.
Type of Event: Private functions (where the host pays for all treats upfront) operate differently from public events, shows, or festivals (where guests buy their own).

How Far in Advance Should I Book?

Peak season in the UK runs from May through September, with weekends filling up fast. So if you have a date already sorted it’s always best to just get it booked rather than chancing it a couple of weeks prior.

What happens if it rains on the day? British weather is notoriously unpredictable, but rain will not stop the service! Service can continue directly from the window we have canopys over the serving window, or the van being ZERO emission can park indoors or can position itself close to a marquee or covered entrance to keep guests dry while queuing.

Are ice cream vans fully insured and licensed? Any reputable operator like us Mr Whippy Ice Cream Ltd have you fully protected!

– £10 Million Public & Employee Insurance

– 5 Star Food Hygeine Rated

– Fully UK Registered and VAT registered cpmpany

+Much more.

Commonly Asked Questions About Ice Cream Van Hire

Do I need to supply electricity or power? No. Our ZERO emission ice cream vans are completely self-sufficient. Vans feature onboard refrigeration systems and state of the art battery power systems, meaning they can park up and serve anywhere without needing anything from you.

What space and access requirements are needed? An ice cream van needs a flat, firm surface and clear access—typically requiring about two standard car parking spaces. If your event is in a back garden, driveway, school yard, or private field, simply ensure there are no tight archways, over hanging trees or soft ground that could hinder entry.

Can you cater to dietary requirements and allergies? Yes. We cater for a variety of dietary needs. Options include:

Dairy free and vegan ice creams
Gluten free
Nut free options
Halal friendly and vegetarian options
Plus much more

Always inform your provider of any specific severe allergies ahead of time so the team can prepare accordingly.