Case Study : Lickety Split - Cindy Bettcher

The ice cream wonderland, which opened its doors late this summer, is the creation of Cindy Bettcher, 57, a former contact centre worker. After recovering from breast cancer, Cindy gave up her job to fulfil her dream and received funding and support with her venture from Be Enterprising, County Durham’s Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI).

With queues regularly stretching out of the doors, Cindy has rapidly expanded her team to eight – three full time posts and five part-time workers – and is anticipating a busy first Christmas.
Bookings for children’s parties now cover most weekends in December and three special ‘Lickety Split Christmas sundaes’ will be on sale to attract new customers over the festive season. 

Cindy said: “I couldn’t have predicted things would go as well as they have. It’s been fantastic since we opened and we’ve regularly had queues out of the doors most weekends down Seaham sea front.  

“People seem to love the 50s set-up we have here, the excellent service they get and the fact that it’s real traditional ice cream. It was always my ambition to expand but I hadn’t really anticipated taking on new recruits at such an early stage.” 

Cindy first came up with the idea for Lickety Split after holidaying in Chicago and seeing similar restaurants. She was eventually inspired to set up the business after recovering from breast cancer. The parlour is themed with retro 1950s style décor including Elvis memorabilia, a giant juke box and serves ice cream, milkshakes, hot dogs, juices, teas and coffees.

She received support in setting up and expanding her business from Be Enterprising which was able to offer advice on her business plan and grant funding to help with her set up costs in the early months. Be Enterprising is a government funded programme supported by additional investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). It was created to inspire enterprise and bring about positive and measurable changes in the unemployment hotspots of County Durham.

Cindy added: “The idea is something that had been forming in my mind for a few years ever since I went on holiday. Places like this are hugely popular in America and I felt we could replicate a taste of that over here.

“After recovering from breast cancer I really wanted to give it a go. I went back to work for a short time but the job had changed significantly so I thought why not? The support and advice I’ve received along the way, particularly from Be Enterprising, has been invaluable. It helped to give me the confidence and resources to push on with my ice cream dream.”

To add to Lickety Split’s success it was recently recognised in the East Durham Business Awards, winning the Best Business Idea award and also being named Best New Business.

Sam Sowemimo, Cindy’s Be Enterprising coach said: “If the proof of the pudding is in the eating, then it’s easy to see why Lickety Spilt has been such a success. It’s a unique business, offering great service and atmosphere and, as someone who’s tasted it, I know it’s an excellent product as well.

“Cindy came to us with a really strong and impressive vision for Lickety Split and we were delighted to help. The business has all the elements Be Enterprising aims to encourage. It’s a viable enterprise, is sustainable, combats unemployment and is having a major impact on the community, both in terms of the income and employment opportunities it is generating.”