DOZENS of people enjoyed some tasty treats as an icecream parlour opened its doors for the first time in Southampton.

Following its success at its Portswood Road site, Sprinkles Gelato’s new parlour in Above Bar Street welcomed customers to try out some of its many flavours.

The popularity of Italianstyle ice cream helped to create the new store on the former Nationwide building society site, which stood derelict for more than seven years.

Not only will the new parlour bring a touch of Italy to the high street, it has also sparked a jobs boom and created 40 new jobs, to help with the demand.

It comes after the Portswood parlour, which opened in September last year, proved a huge hit.

Trying out the gelato was Tory group leader on the city council Royston Smith and Labour cabinet member for Environment and Transport Councillor Jacqui Rayment – who put political differences aside to enjoy a cold treat.

Co-manager Ibrahim Ahmed, 30, who runs the business with his brother Sharif, 43, said: “We hope the local community will support us and we hope to bring vibrancy to the area.”