1950s double-decker bus converted into vintage café in Mulbarton

Blakeys Bus Cafe is opening soon in Mulbarton. The Cafe is the brain child of Rachael Ives (left) and Sam Smith. (Image: Archant Norfolk Photographic © 2016)

But 60 years on – and firmly off the road – a 1956 Bristol Lodekka double-decker bus is about to start a new chapter as a country tearoom café.

The brainchild of friends Rachael Ives and Samantha Smith, Blakeys opens in its permanent home on the social club grounds in Mulbarton today.

Mrs Ives, 43, said: 'I've lived and worked in Mulbarton for years and every time I drive through it I wonder why there is no café. The Common is so busy with dog walkers, families and parents picking up kids from the schools that it seems like a perfect location.'

After being made redundant two years ago, the mother-of-one decided to make the idea a reality and – with the help of business partner and friend Mrs Smith – searched high and low for a suitable venue.

The Bristol Lodekka in its heyday. Picture: Submitted (Image: Archant)

And over the last few months the pair have busied themselves with restoring the bus, which still has its distinctive open-back platform – with every nook and cranny now packed with vintage china and pots and pans and the exterior benefitting from a fresh lick of paint.

'At first I thought this would all be easy,' Mrs Ives, who lives just off Mulbarton Common, said. 'But then I got to work and realised how much there was to do. We've retained and restored the classic parts, like the poles and bell stops, but have also fitted a really high-end kitchen.'

Hot drinks, cakes, sandwiches and light lunches will be on the menu, whilst offering a much-needed place to meet for the village.

Mrs Ives said: 'People's immediate thinking is a bus in a lay-by serving up burgers – but this is not what we are doing. It's a classy place to be, with bunting and lovely curtains.

Blakeys Bus Cafe is opening soon in Mulbarton. The Cafe is the brain child of Rachael Ives (left)and Sam Smith. (Image: Archant Norfolk Photographic © 2016)

'We want it to be somewhere people come to meet and chat after going for a walk on the Common or picking up their kids from school.'

The project has received the backing of Mulbarton Parish Council, who listed a café as a priority for the village in its neighbourhood plan.

There will be a kitchen and small seating area on the ground floor, with seating for about 25 people upstairs. It will open seven days a week.

During its days as a school bus, Blakeys was thuoght to have operated in Lowestoft. After it retired, it was converted into a driver training vehicle.

In 1999, it was fully restored and, in 2010, was sold to a pub to use as a smoking shelter.

But it fell into disrepair and last October Mrs Ives and Mrs Smith rescued it from the scrap heap.

For more information, visit www.blakeysbuscafe.co.uk• Do you know of a café setting up in an unusual environment? Email lauren.cope@archant.co.uk