Pictured above: Pete Thein, owner of Pete's Upper Crust Café, outside the new shop front

A popular café in Long Eaton has had a facelift to restore the building to its glory of 100 years ago.

Pete's Upper Crust Café in High Street has had major changes under the Townscape Heritage scheme to enhance the town centre.

The building started life as George Mason's greengrocer's, and was later a bakery. Around 30 years ago it became the Upper Crust Café and adopted its new name when Pete Thein bought it in November 2006.

At the age of 15 Pete was a commis chef in Oxford then after five years became a contracts manager in the construction industry. But after 16 years of travelling from Nottingham to London he yearned for a different course in life.

"My heart was always in catering and I wanted to run my own café business," he said. "I was scouting around for an existing business which I could take over and add my personal touch."

After renting the building he bought it two years ago and sought to restore it under the Townscape Heritage Initiative funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage and Erewash Borough Council.

He was helped by Alan McGowan, of Alan McGowan Chartered Architects, based in Tamworth Road, who drew up the scheme, applied for grant funding, and has managed the project.

The project has three phases. The first involved the roof and structural repairs, including new chimney stacks and replacement windows.

There are plans to bring new life to the empty upper two storeys by creating two flats.

The second involved recreating the shop front as it was 100 years ago based on old photos and drawings. Entrance measurements varied slightly to allow access for disabled people.

Other work included painting Pete's name across the front and finding a specialist supplier of an Edwardian-style box awning.

Original ornate yellow and dark green tiles were found behind false walls. These will be exposed in the final phase, refurbishing the interior.

Total cost will be more than £100,000, of which 67 per cent will be grant aided.

"The refurbishment looks wonderful," said Alan. "With so many empty shops around it enhances the street scene and shows that a traditional high street can fight back."

Pete is delighted. "It meant that I could put something back into the street scene that will last another 100 years," he said.

The proof of the pudding is that Peter has had lots of compliments from customers and business has increased 25 per cent since the new shopfront was installed.

With the café open seven days a week, Pete is helped by 20-year-old Nathan Dale and 21-year-old Ellie Morgan, both of whom were taken on through Connexions when Pete bought the business. They have passed their NVQs, and Nathan has become a partner.

The café will hold a party at 6.30pm on February 25 to celebrate its 100th birthday, complete with cake and performance by Long Eaton Silver Prize Band. Erewash MP Jessica Lee will attend.

This will also host the results of the town's good trader awards, in which Pete has twice won the best restaurant/café section.