Parents forking out £50 on ice lotions this summer season – as treats in Leeds hit £4

A poll of 2,000 parents found that the average ice cream price is now £2.65 in the UK – costing nearly £50 per child over the six-week break

Parents are set to shell out nearly £50 per child on ice creams over the summer holidays – with one in 10 splashing out as much as £4 a cone from an ice cream van. A whopping 85% of parents reckon that the days of paying 99p for a whippy ice cream are long gone.

According to a survey of 2,000 parents, the average price of this sweet treat now stands at £2.65.

Folks in Leeds are coughing up the most, shelling out £2.86 each time, followed by London (£2.82), Bristol and Manchester (both £2.80). In Leeds, 18% of parents admit they fork out at least £4 every time they buy a cone – more than in any other UK city.

The typical child will indulge in three ice creams a week over the summer holidays, totalling £47.70 over the six-week break. To help foot the bill, one in three parents have given their own ice cream a miss, while a quarter have even told their child that the ice cream van has run out of ice cream to dodge the cost.

The study was commissioned by Aldi, which delighted families this week with a ‘Summer Cool Down ice cream van’ in London, handing out free ice creams.

Julie Ashfield, chief commercial officer for the supermarket brand, said: “Summer holidays are becoming increasingly expensive for families, with the cost of everyday treats and activities quickly adding up.

“With so many families budgeting months in advance and worrying about costs, it’s never been more important that everyday essentials and family favourites remain affordable.

“That’s why we’re committed to keeping prices low on popular summer products as we know it can make a real difference, helping families enjoy the holiday period without having to compromise on the moments that matter most.”

The research showed families fork out an additional £200 on average compared to term time. An extra £49 goes on weekly grocery bills, while parents expect they’ll spend an average of £134 on eating out, £105 on holiday clubs and £132 on tickets for day trips.

But even remaining closer to home comes at a price, with at-home activities, such as arts and crafts, costing parents £70 on average over the break.

Consequently, a third of parents fret about the expense, while 30% budget in advance so they can do more with their children – with 21% beginning as early as January.

It also emerged 38% want to give their children the best summer possible but feel restricted by what they can afford.

To help support families through the school holidays, Aldi has made further price cuts to more than 300 family favourites as part of its wider £300 million investment to lower prices on more than 1,000 products this year.

It has also launched a Summer Support Scheme, giving away £50 shops to families every day throughout July and August.

MOST EXPENSIVE 99s ACROSS THE UK:

1. Leeds
2. London
3. Bristol
4. Manchester
5. Liverpool
6. Leicester
7. Sheffield
8. Newcastle
9. Glasgow
10. Birmingham