(Taste of Sidmouth via SWNS)
By Georgia Cook and Lewis Clarke
An ice cream parlor was hit with vile homophobic abuse after a visit by two influencers.
Owners of Taste of Sidmouth in Devon were overjoyed when Nick and Ant visited to try their homemade gelato.
They are a London-based married LGBTQ+ couple and posed for photographs with Ferrero Rocher and strawberry flavors.
The shop shared a Facebook post to celebrate but were then sent homophobic comments online.
Their happy post attracted offensive and angry comments about the couple’s relationship.
The shop condemned the remarks and said it had removed the worst comments from its page.
Owner Cathy Inglis said: “Apparently, in 2026, we still have people who think it’s acceptable to make nasty, homophobic remarks simply because two men are in a relationship.
“Are we really still doing this? Seriously?
“These two genuinely lovely men came into our shop today, supported a small family business, were incredibly kind and gave us a moment we were genuinely excited to share.
“And somehow, THAT has attracted negativity?”
The business added: “Instead, I’ve found myself reading comments that have left me genuinely shocked, angry and incredibly disappointed.
“You don’t have to know who somebody is. You don’t have to follow them. You don’t even have to be interested in the post.
“But being a decent human being? That really shouldn’t be too much to ask.”
The shop, voted best ice cream in the southwest, decorates its premises with rainbow flags for Pride Month every June.
Sophie, a manager and daughter of owner Cathy, said: “The response to our posts over the last 12 hours has been absolutely overwhelming.
“The love, the support, the messages and the hundreds of people standing up for kindness have left me feeling incredibly emotional.
“But there’s one thing that has touched me more than anything. The amount of people THANKING us for speaking out.
“And I suppose that’s what I want to talk about this morning.
“Because to us, speaking out against homophobia shouldn’t be something extraordinary.
“It should be normal. It should be the bare minimum.”
Sophie credited her mother with instilling the values behind the business, describing Cathy as someone who had always encouraged her family to be accepting, outspoken and protective of others.
Sophie explained her personal connection to the impact of homophobia and prejudice, having watched a loved one be “brutally bullied” through childhood because of their sexuality.
A London-based married LGBTQ+ couple posed for photos at the ice cream shop, which attracted tons of comments online.
She said: “I know just how much is matters to have someone standing in your corner.”
Taste of Sidmouth has pledged it would continue calling out homophobia, celebrating Pride Month, and supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
Addressing her mother, Sophie said: “Thank you for building something so much bigger than an ice cream shop.
“Thank you for raising me to have a voice, for teaching me to use it, and for giving me the privilege of being in a business where I know I’ll never have to compromise my values.”
The business also had a message for Nick and Ant, assuring the couple that they would always be welcome.
They said: “Nick and Ant, if you happen to see this, please know that you are SO welcome in our shop, and we were absolutely delighted to meet you both.
“Taste of Sidmouth is a place for EVERYONE. Always has been. Always will be.”