The new product has been created by Warrington based Fit Cream and after four years of refining the manufacturing process has just been awarded a patent following rigorous testing to confirm its sugar free credentials,.  The delicious ice cream product is also high in protein and a good source of fibre, turning a traditionally wicked warm weather treat into a far more wholesome option.

Fit Cream uses a secret formula and manufacturing process to create the ice-cream texture and taste, without using any of the sugar that is used in most commercial ice-creams products. It also has to undergo three separate manufacturing processes in order to ensure the correct balance of protein in the end product.

The product has been developed by Fit Cream Director Mark Ball and Cheshire based Reaseheath Food Centre, an industry-leading academy with an international reputation in the food and drink sector, using the Start Up Loan and a £5k Innovation Voucher awarded by the Technology Strategy Board. Mark, a fitness fanatic who has many triathlons and marathons under his belt, already has plans in place to launch the range to the trade and consumer market in 2017 and will be conducting an extensive sampling operation at outdoor and fitness events to introduce Fit Cream to a health conscious market.

Mark said: “Health conscious retailers and consumers are absolutely ready for Fit Cream and we are delighted to have been able to access the Start Up Loan and support from BFS to bring it to market.  We have isolated the protein that is used in protein drinks and included it in the manufacture of products that will appeal to the middle ground of food aware consumers, who want a healthy way to refuel but have been put off in the past by the more extreme claims of protein products aimed at bodybuilders and athletes.

“Nutritionists and health professionals have also been united for years in warning of the dangers of refined sugar in our diet and our aim is to introduce an alternative range of products, which have the same basic characteristics as the well-known traditional products in term of taste and texture, but carry higher nutritional values, being low in sugar and high in protein.”

Future plans for Fit Cream also include developing a range of additional sugar free products including Fit Jacks, Fit Drinks and Fit Gels and a children’s version of FitCream.

David Blower, Advisor at BFS said: “Mark came to us with a great idea for a new sugar free ice-cream and we were very quickly able to sanction the funds he needed to help develop and market Fit Cream and have very high hopes for its success when it launches later this year. Consumers in the UK spend an average of £17 per person each year on ice cream. This, combined with the increasing awareness in this country of the damage that sugar can do to our bodies, bodes extremely well for the success of this great brand and the additional products Mark has in the pipeline.”

BFS the finance arm of the Manchester Growth Company is supported by the GM Combined Authority and Local Enterprise Partnership and has £7.5 million allocated to support new start-ups across the North West over the next two years. This funding will create around 1500 new businesses and over 3000 new jobs in the region.

Over the years BFS has grown and developed its financial options and offers finance from £500 through to £500,000 and can also support businesses on raising equity investments up to £2m through the Co Angel initiative. To date BFS manages a portfolio of over £80m across the UK.

Find out more about BFS finance at www.business-finance-solutions.org.uk or by calling 0161 245 4737.