The Glasgow Times is featuring the six candidates hoping to be voted Glasgow's Favourite Business for 2023.

The award, sponsored by this paper, is part of the Glasgow Business Awards organised by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce with Royal Bank of Scotland as the main sponsor.

In the five short months that La Gelatessa has been open, the gelato shop has taken Glasgow by storm.

Husband and wife duo Chiara and Dave Pieraccini-Partington opened the doors of their shop on Nithsdale Street in March 2019.

An instant hit, Glaswegians from across the city flock to Strathbungo for Carpigiani Gelato University graduate Chiara's sweet scoops, with seasonal flavours like cinnamon brown butter and classics like salted pistachio.

Glasgow Times:

The newest firm to be nominated for this year's Favourite Business Award, it's clear that just a few months of trading have been enough to have a lasting impact on customers.

Chiara said: "It's really unbelievable that we've been nominated for this award.

"I didn't completely understand what was happening when I heard about it, it feels like it came out of the blue.

"We're really flattered and just so happy, people seem to get it. That's the whole point, that we're putting out something we love and people are loving it back."

Dave added: "There are a lot of big businesses involved in these awards and it's nice to be one of the small independent businesses getting recognition."

Glasgow Times:

The couple had a rough start opening the shop when their batch freezer broke just before their grand opening, but a little ingenue goes a long way - Chiara whipped up toasted "fluff" hot chocolates that fans are hoping will make a comeback this autumn.

Dave said: "We expected the worst when we started with the broken machine in the beginning."

Chiara added: "But things have gone better than we thought. We have been really overwhelmed by how many people are into La Gelatessa.

"We had no idea it was going to be like this. We've had to learn things really quickly."

For anyone who has had the privilege of tasting gelato from La Gelatessa, and the greater privilege of sampling gelato in Italy, the comparison made by many rings true: La Gelatessa is better.

Dave said: "It's our favourite compliment, when people say our gelato is better than other places you know you're doing something right.

"It's fortunate being a gelato business because everyone is always in a good mood when they're buying ice cream."

The winner of The Glasgow Times Award for Glasgow's Favourite Business will be revealed at the annual Glasgow Business Awards ceremony, taking place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central on Thursday 5 October 2023. Voting closes at midnight on September 18, 2023.

Place your vote for The Glasgow Times Award for Glasgow's Favourite Business here.