AN INDEPENDENT ice cream cafe in the heart of Oxford has celebrated another top hygiene rating as it moves to deliveries during lockdown.

George and Davis', based in Little Clarendon Street, is the oldest of G&D’s three cafes in the city, opening in 1992 and quickly becoming a staple of the Jericho community.

Unusually for an ice cream shop, the business before lockdown did much of its trade in the evenings, opening from 8am until midnight for the majority of the year.

The shop’s location makes it a popular venue for a post-theatre ice cream and for those who fancy an after-dinner treat.

Oxford City Council's health team visited the business last month on March 14 and awarded the shop a five-star hygiene rating, with it gaining top marks in all three categories that make up the overall score.

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The idea for G&D’s developed out of the experience of Oxford University student George Stroup who wanted better quality ice cream in the city. G&D’s website Facebook page states: "We’ve now been a part of life in Oxford for generations of students

"We love being visited by people who used to stay up late in our cafes to study and have returned years later so that their children can try our ice cream.

"We also really value being part of the community of Oxford. Some of our customers (and some of our staff!) have been with us since the beginning."

The majority of students may be gone right now due to the coronavirus lockdown but the business is still producing its handmade ice cream at the Little Clarendon Street shop and those in need of a sweet treat are able to order sundaes and ice cream sandwiches via Deliveroo between 11am and 7pm every day.

G&Ds is also offering a range of bagels made at its St Aldates shop on the takeaway site. Customers seem to have appreciated the new service, with G&D's currently rated 4.9 out of five stars on Deliveroo.

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The ice cream business already has a slew of rave reviews of TripAdvisor, with one customer writing: "Handmade with Jersey Cream these ice creams are the best, full of flavour and a joy to eat. The service was quick and friendly, and for a hand made artisan product the price was really reasonable."

Another longtime customer called G&Ds 'Oxford's own legendary artisan ice cream makers', adding: "Quality home made ice cream with unique and well chosen flavours. Consistently excellent for over 25 years I have known them."

Follow G&D’s Facebook and Twitter accounts for the latest.