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Friends go viral after converting bus into café

Hannah Roe/BBC Josh Jones, Toby Jones and Maddy Harris wearing black hoodies that say "professional idiots" laugh in front of the lilac coloured bus they've converted into a coffee shopHannah Roe/BBC
Josh Jones, Toby Jones and Maddy Harris - the 'Professional Idiots'

Three social media influencers have accrued millions of views on TikTok and Instagram after filming themselves converting a double-decker bus into a coffee shop.

Maddy Harris and brothers Toby and Josh Jones - who have named themselves the Professional Idiots - spent over £25,000 renovating the 20-year-old bus for their friend, barista Luke Derbyshire.

Toby Jones said: "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 named the Moving Mug. It stands in a car park by the Hawk and Berry pub in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, but can still be driven.

The Professional Idiots An ancient blue bus with a hole in the roof and panelling falling off the top. The Professional Idiots
Before the renovation, the bus was 20 years old and falling apart in a vehicle graveyard

Ms Harris said the bus took a lot of work.

"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," she said.

But the Professional Idiots have turned it into a fully-functioning, mobile coffee shop.

Josh Jones said they had tried to retain as many original features as they could.

"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," he said.

Top deck of double decker, decorated with flowers with stools and tables and a view out of the front window.
Customers on the top deck can enjoy the views

Mr Derbyshire said: "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' next big job is to make a starter home out of a shipping container.

Luke Derbyshire coffee shop owner in pink T-shirt with female colleague in the coffee bus kitchen area near coffee machine smiling and laughing.
Luke Derbyshire "can’t believe what’s happened to his life" since the bus became his shop

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