91³Ô¹ÏÍø

Person    | Male  Born 27/7/1817  Died 6/9/1878

Carlo Gatti

Categories: Commerce, Food & Drink, Theatre

Countries: Switzerland

Carlo Gatti

Cafe owner and ice-dealer. Born Switzerland. Arrived in England in July 1847. Built up a French-style cafe business. In the 1850s he became the first seller of ice-cream to the masses. He had owned ice wells off the Regent's Canal for a few years and in 1857 he formed a company to import ice from Norway and store it at an ice well in New Wharf Road, King's Cross. He built up a fleet of 60 ice wagons and was extremely successful. He had 5 daughters but his only son died aged 9. From about 1871 he spent most of his time back in Switzerland where he died. gives a good explanation of how the ice trade worked.

As well as the ice business Carlo and his family also built up a chain of restaurants and places of entertainment, many in central London. He assisted other Italians to come to London, many of whom either worked for him or set up Italian restaurants of their own.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Carlo Gatti

Commemorated ati

Gatti icehouse

Victorian London has a wonderful contemporary description of the ice pit. In ...

91³Ô¹ÏÍø

Other Subjects

Henry Thornton

Henry Thornton

Anti-slavery campaigner. Born Clapham. Successful banker. Good friends with his (indirect) cousin, William Wilberforce, prior to their marriages they shared a house bought by Thornton, Battersea Ri...

Person, Commerce, Philanthropy, Politics & Administration, Race Issues, Religion

1 memorial
Penny Savings Bank

Penny Savings Bank

From Tottenham Quakers  "In 1798 Priscilla Wakefield founded the first "frugality bank" in England. This she founded at Ship Inn Yard in Tottenham. It was intended to help people on lower incomes t...

Concept, Commerce, Social Welfare

1 memorial
Annie Frances Welford

Annie Frances Welford

Granddaughter of Richard Welford (1817-1858) who founded and ran Warwick Farm Dairies. Annie Frances Welford was born on 18 March 1871 the fifth of the six children of John Welford (1844-1924) and...

Person, Commerce, Food & Drink

2 memorials
Viscount Wakefield of Hythe, Charles Cheers

Viscount Wakefield of Hythe, Charles Cheers

Businessman. Born Liverpool. His brand name being Castrol he was very successful and set up in the City of London. Lord Mayor in 1915-16. Promoted and funded pioneering aviation and motor sports. 1...

Person, Aviation, Commerce, Lord Mayor, Transport

2 memorials
Raymond Montague Burton

Raymond Montague Burton

Led the modern development of Burtons Menswear, and was a generous benefactor of the Jewish Museum in London and the University of York. Identical twin to Arnold - see there for a photo of the 4 B...

Person, Commerce

2 memorials