Friends’ Bus-to-Café Conversion Achieves Viral Status

Three social media influencers have garnered millions of views across TikTok and Instagram after documenting their project to transform a double-decker bus into a coffee shop. Maddy Harris, along with brothers Toby and Josh Jones, who operate under the name Professional Idiots, invested over £25,000 in renovating the 20-year-old vehicle for their friend, barista Luke Derbyshire. Toby Jones stated, “Luke is just such a talented guy, so when he told us he wanted to start his own business and run a coffee cart, we knew we could do something to help.” The bus has since been christened the Moving Mug. It is currently situated in a car park adjacent to the Hawk and Berry pub in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, though it retains its drivable capability. Ms. Harris noted the extensive effort involved in the bus’s transformation. She explained, “All the seats had to be replaced, the floors all came up, all the electrics were faulty, it kept leaking and there was a hole in the roof.” Despite these challenges, the Professional Idiots successfully converted it into a fully-functioning, mobile coffee shop. Josh Jones mentioned their efforts to preserve as many original features as possible. He elaborated, “The wheel arch is a cake stand, the poles which used to be the bells are used for the tables and we left the wheel in so Luke can drive it to events.” Mr. Derbyshire expressed his astonishment, saying, “I just can’t believe it. I suggested a horse box or something, so I could have a coffee cart. “Now I have a full-on double decker bus with seating and everything, it’s just incredible.”I can’t believe what’s happened to my life.”” The Professional Idiots’ subsequent major undertaking involves constructing a starter home from a shipping container. For updates, BBC Kent can be followed on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk, external, or via WhatsApp at 08081 002250. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.