Ice cream businesses in Suffolk have revealed they are facing increases of up to 400% in energy costs amid fears of a possible shortage of products during the busy summer season.

Research by domestic energy comparison site Uswitch for Business has revealed shopkeepers are thinking of reducing the use of fridges and freezers to save money due to rising energy bills.

The Uswitch research also revealed one in three businesses were planning to reduce their use of electrical appliances.

This has prompted a warning from ice cream manufacturers and retailers that prices may go up ahead of the busy summer season.

Rob Hardy, owner of I Scream in Ipswich, said his bills had gone up by 400% in the last two years, but he has pledged to carry on, in spite of the price hike.

Ipswich Star: Rob Hardy owns I Scream in IpswichRob Hardy owns I Scream in Ipswich (Image: Contributed)

He said: "We are definitely struggling because it has gone up 400% in two years, but is it going to stop us from doing the things we have been doing? No."

He was not planning to take any actions to reduce costs, such as changing staff working hours at the St Peter's Street business, but would instead absorb the price increase.

Peter Woodward, owner of Beaches & Cream in Southwold, said the cost of buying ice cream from his wholesaler had risen by 10% and he would be increasing the cost to the customer by a "marginal amount".

Ipswich Star: Peter Woodward of Beaches & Cream in SouthwoldPeter Woodward of Beaches & Cream in Southwold (Image: Mick Howes)

However, he was not planning to reduce the use of fridges and freezers as the amount he would save was 'minimal' in comparison to the profits to be made from sales.

He added a single tub of ice cream could provide between 30 and 35 scoops.

"Generally, the wholesalers have been quite fair and we pay a reasonable price in comparison to what we could get from a factory-produced product.

"We are looking to put our prices up marginally to counteract that," Mr Woodward said.