Paul Simmons, owner of The Red House Cafe in Alby. PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY

A former drummer who worked with the man behind Pet Shop Boys and Bros has put down his sticks for good to pursue a “life-long dream” of running his own café.

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Paul Simmons used to drum for Giggles - a band managed by Tom Watkins - but decided to embark on his latest venture after being inspired by the many cafés he visited when on tour.

The 60-year-old, who runs the Red House Café on Norwich Road in Alby, said he wanted to offer food which was cooked from local produce.

Mr Simmons currently uses eggs from Erpingham Hall Farm and meat from Swafield.

“I am passionate about cooking and food,” he said.

“I spent such a long time on the road travelling when I was a professional drummer for 15 years and ate at so many different places. It’s been a life-long dream of mine to open a café of my own.”

Mr Simmons decided to name the café after the house he lived in for five years in San Carlos, Ibiza.

He said “a lot had happened there”, including running his catering businesses, art gallery and hostel.

But the Red House on the Mediterranean island also had a darker history and during the Spanish civil war 16 people were executed there - which is what earned it its name.

“It’s not all doom and gloom though,” Mr Simmons explained.

“During the 1960s the Red House was bought by comic actor Terry-Thomas and is still owned by the family.

“What I want to do now is get the café up and running and continue. For me it’s all about making a place I would want to eat at myself.”

Mr Simmons is also keen to display local artists work in the café and asked artists to get in touch if they were interested in doing so.

- For more information please call Mr Simmons on 01263 768333.