THE country might be in the middle of a cold snap at the moment but according to IScream owner Graham Macdonald a ‘surprising’ number of people are still craving a frozen treat.

The Covered Market gelateria, which also supplies several Oxford restaurants, has seen a steady flow of customers year round since it opened on a blazing hot day in June 2015.

Mr Macdonald, who runs the business with his wife Jen, said: "As long as the sun is out it doesn't really seem to matter what the temperature is like. We're inside and everything is heated so that helps."

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One things he said was 'critical' to trade though was the shop's five-star food hygiene rating, which the business maintained recently following an inspection by Oxford City Council's health team, who visited the gelateria last month.

He said: "It is absolutely critical to us to keep those five stars because it shows we are doing all the right things behind the scenes and I think it is something people are a lot more aware of these days.

"It's not just about good Trip Advisor reviews, they want to know that not only is what they are eating tasty but that the hygiene is there as well."

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He said this was especially true when a lot of the gelateria's trade relied on tourists who had not visited before, adding: "It is also nice acknowledgement that the work we are doing is paying off."

Mr Macdonald decided to open IScream after being inspired by a summer holiday in Tuscany.

He said the town they were staying in served all ages from dawn until dusk and he was to bring the 'purity' and 'intensity' of the flavour back home to Oxford.

He added: "I've always loved ice cream and even as a child I would try to make sure I had it every day on holiday. With this job it means I have the chance to eat it every single day – and I do."

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The gelato is made fresh each day at the Covered Market shop and uses seasonal ingredients sourced locally.

Mr Macdonald said those wanting to try something new this weekend should stop by the gelateria for his latest creation made with the newly-in-season Yorkshire rhubarb he will be turning into a rhubarb and ginger sorbet. He said: "It's vegan, and doesn't have any artificial colours and flavours – it's all about the fresh fruit."

To keep up with more of the flavour combinations visit the IScream Oxford Facebook page.

Mr Macdonald also appeared in a promotional Youtube video for the Covered Market last year, which was produced by landlord the city council and is available on its channel.