A BUILDING left to rot for 30 years has been renovated and turned into a cafe, and an extension will be transformed into a new Italian restaurant.

The old stationmaster’s house, next to Thorpe Bay train station, has been turned into the Brew Station cafe and the extension could be open as a restaurant as soon as next month if things go to plan.

Surinder Paul, of Italian Market Garden Ltd, said: “It’s going to be a nice old rustic Italian restaurant where kids can play in the garden.

“I live in the area and have always wanted to go to a nice Italian here.”

Mr Paul, who works in financial services by day, added that he had been planning the move for five or six years and had been waiting for the right property to become available. The cafe has been open for two months and he hopes to add the restaurant too.

The alcohol license application for the building was due to be called in to the council for a committee hearing after residents raised concerns about late alcohol sales but the plans have now been amended.

Ron Woodley, of the Burges Estate Residents’ Association, said: “We’re pleased the developer has taken on board the concerns, it’s been a good collaborative exercise.”