A COUPLE who fantasised about leaving their jobs to create a cocktail bar on an classic double-decker bus have launched their dream.

Last summer Helen Bleakman, who has lived in Shernal Green near Droitwich Spa for most of her adult life, was working in sales and partner Giovanni Caffo, an Italian who has lived in the UK for 25 years, as a builder when an advert selling a converted nightclub bus sparked off fantasies for a vehicular venue of their own design.

Now Helen and Giovanni, who have been together for five years, have created a bar in a beautiful old vintage bus in the middle of a marquee as a glamorous, fun mobile venue for corporate functions, wedding receptions, private parties and outdoor events.

“Ever since I was a child, I thought I would love a double-decker to live on,” admitted Helen. “I had dreams of driving one.”

Indeed a love of classic cars runs in the family. Father Peter ran Total Plastics for 30 years, manufacturing car and motorcycle emblems.

Sister Julia works as a product development engineer for Jaguar and Giovanni himself co-ran Bye Street Motorcycles in Ledbury selling renovated classic European bikes.

Helen and Giovanni have spent nine months painstakingly renovating a 1967 Manchester bus bought from Scrapheap Challenge expert Steve Matthews. Its sister bus offers rides to the Museum of Transport Manchester.

“I’ve been a mother for 18 years,” said Helen, “having to be a responsible parent all my adult life I have been dreaming that once I got to 40 and Rosie was 18, I could do something different and less conventional.”

The resulting Deckerdence Mobile Bar and Marquee should appeal to those who love the idea of mixing the old with the new, those who like to see classic vehicles kept alive and working, in this case with a luxurious top deck cocktail bar and lower floor bar that serves customers through its lower windows.

Seats have been hand-made with red leather and surfaces panelled in oak. Many of the bus’ original features, including its winding windows and chrome air vents, have been lovingly restored.

“We are really looking forward to creating fabulous parties that customers will remember for ever,” said Helen.

Deckerdence was launched with a party for local business people, celebrities and friends on Saturday, June 6, at Shernal Green.

Deckerdence is also available as a bar at classic car events and sports fixtures.

Anyone interested in hiring her should go to www.deckerdence.co.uk