A family-run farm in Somerset has launched a new gelato business just in time for summer after securing a six-figure finance package from HSBC.

Paul and Rachel Candy, who are third-generation dairy farmers at Pyle Farm in Frome, have used the HSBC finance to set up Palette and Pasture Somerset Gelato. The funding has enabled the couple to build a small gelato factory on-site and purchase the equipment needed to manufacture the new product. This includes a 120-litre pasteuriser, walk-in freezer and small trailer to promote the business at local markets.

The gelato will be churned from the milk of 200 cows that graze on the farm’s 500 acres of land and will be flavoured with home-grown fruit such as apples, plums and blackberries. Four new seasonal jobs have been created as a result of the farm’s expansion.

Paul said: “We’re always looking for ways to expand into new markets and our agricultural relationship manager at HSBC, James Ashton, has helped us to realise our ambitions with this new venture. We can’t wait to share our gelato with the local community this summer.”

Euryn Jones, HSBC regional agriculture director, said: “We’re delighted to have supported Pyle Farm for 35 years, helping the business become the success it is today. Rachel and Paul were keen to take the farm in a fresh direction and we’re pleased to have helped them open up a whole new revenue stream ahead of summer.”

Pyle Farm was founded by Paul’s grandfather and has been selling milk in Somerset for over 80 years. The new gelato will be sold across local agricultural shows in the south of England including Frome’s independent market, as well as direct from Pyle Farm.