I maybe mistaken but "&" I believe can only be used when listing people or things. Such as pepper & salt, Mr. & Mrs., Johnson & Johnson, etc. "And" can be used to replace "&".
Only "and" can be used when connect thoughts. Like "We rode the roller coaster and we ate ice cream."
The ampersand is mostly used informally, though it can be used formally in, say, business names. Pitter, Potter & Pratt, Solicitors.
But that is equally valid, with 'and' written out in full.
There's an old riddle about putting five ands in a row into the same sentence and it worked around a publican who wanted a sign painted for his pub, the Pig and Whistle.
The signwriter spread it out too much and the publican refused to pay him. He said there was too much space between Pig and And and And and whistle.
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