Family businesses, ice cream cake and musical booze

This week hit a slightly musical note for one family business, when it acquired the interestingly sounding Rhythm & Booze.

Bibby Retail Services, controlled by the eponymous family, bought the Yorkshire-based off-license, which has shops across the north of England, for an undisclosed sum from administrators Ernst & Young.

Over 400 jobs have been saved, including managing director Martin Swaine’s position. Along with his father, he founded the chain in the 1990s.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, it’s not glasses of alcohol, but rather slices of ice cream cake that are likely to be raised when celebrating another recent acquisition.

The Canadian division of Rich Products, a Buffalo-based, family-owned food company, acquired Dorgel Ltd & Elistan Foods – best known for its frozen desserts.

The question is, will the Rich family reach for one of Dorgel’s Bacio Tartufo, some banana gelato or an Arctic Treats ice cream sandwich to celebrate?