A LARGS business is getting set to melt the hearts of the community in more ways than one as it gets set to celebrate 20 years in business.
Bake 'n' Bite, in Moorburn Road, are planning to give every school pupil in the town - including Largs Academy, Largs Primary, St Mary's Primary and all the early learning classes - a free ice cream to mark the milestone.
The kind-hearted gesture by business owner John Harkins will amount to more than 2,000 cones - with the ice creams made, supplied and presented by John's son, also called John, from the award-winning Bay Ices in Wemyss Bay.
The free ice cream is just one of several goodwill gestures Bake 'n' Bite is providing to the local community.
The firm has already handed out donations to several local causes, including Largs Academy and the Clyde Coast and Cumbraes Men's Shed - and has rewarded some of the loyal customers who have supported the business since it opened in 2004, including well-known local woman Betty Spiers.
Four generations of Betty's family are among the shop's regular customers, and she was presented with a bouquet of flowers as a gesture of the business's thanks.
The celebrations began last week with free cake for customers and free gifts to local firefighters.
Explaining the plan to give out free ice creams to pupils, John said: "I just thought it would be a special thing to do.
"I have spoken to all the head teachers and they are in agreement, and it will see 2,000 free ice creams given out to every pupil."
The plan is for the ice creams to be given out on May 31.
John has been running the business successfully with wife Susan for the past two decades.
Asked about the secret of its success, he said: "I like to think we are people's people and we can relate to our customers.
"The big reward goes to all the people of Largs who have supported us over the years.
"This is why we were very keen to give something back to the community.
"Without them we wouldn't have been here and they have supported us wonderfully over the years."
John, 64, describes himself as "evergreen" and says he still loves running the business and has no immediate plans to retire.
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