Barclaycard is aiming to put an end to ice-cream van queue meltdowns through the introduction of a cone-tactless system that lets customers pay with a tap of their card or phone before pouring their own vanilla soft-serve.
In a pilot/gimmick designed to celebrate the tenth anniversary of contactless payments in the UK, Barclaycard has given the traditionally cash-only ice-cream van a 21st century makeover.
An upgraded van consists of two separate queues, allowing ice-cream fans who want a simple vanilla to pay with a tap before filling their own cones, freeing up the vendor to take orders simultaneously for ice-lollies and other snacks or drinks.
Barclays research suggests that while 65% of Brits will make an ice-cream purchase over the summer, they have to wait an average of nearly eight minutes, leaving many to melt down before their frozen treats.
Vince Bianco, owner and ice-cream vendor, One Coronetto, says: "I am always looking for innovative ways to improve my business and anything that allows me to serve double the number of happy customers and reduce the queuing time is a ‘win’ for me."