Simon takes a plumb line to success with his creperie

Jan 22 2008 by Iain Laing, The Journal

A PLUMBER has turned his back on the sought-after trade to run his own crepe bar.

Simon Priestley has swapped his tool belt for an apron to open the Crepe Star Cafe, in the Dundas Shopping Centre, Middlesbrough.

Simon, who lives in Darlington but is originally from Stockton, made the unlikely switch after watching a workmate develop arthritis at the age of 34.

Simon, 32, said: “I’d just finished a big plumbing job on a building project and decided that if I was ever going to do something different, now was the time. I don’t have any symptoms of arthritis yet but, as with most physical jobs, there’s always a few twinges, just aches and pains, but enough to make me worry about developing problems at a young age.”

He wants the Crepe Star Cafe to give shoppers a chance to quickly recharge their batteries with a variety of freshly-made crepes, as well as fruit juices and ground coffees.

Simon hit upon the idea after sampling a crepe at a local French market and then seeing a patented crepe dispenser featured on television.

“Crepes are quick, light and tasty, and offer shoppers an alternative to traditional cafes and snack bars,” he said.

Richard Wilson, of Storeys:ssp, agents for the Dundas Shopping Centre, said: “The Crepe Star Cafe is a great addition to the Dundas – not only adding yet more variety to what the centre has to offer, but adding the warming aroma of freshly-made crepes and ground coffee.”