BACK when she was a long-haul flight attendant, Alison Simpson’s favourite Caribbean restaurant was a static double decker bus in the Cayman Islands.

When she was looking to start a hospitality business closer to home fond memories came flooding back – and Red Bus Bistro was born.

Rather than standing still, however, Ms Simpson wanted to offer her guests the chance to enjoy a mobile dining experience, and two years after launch the company’s unique bus tours of Glasgow and Edinburgh are going down a storm.

The three beautifully refurbished vintage double decker buses, complete with on-board kitchens, already offer a range of dining options from afternoon tea and gin-tasting to gourmet burgers and full three-course dinners.

The East Kilbride-based entrepreneur is always looking for new ways to entice diners aboard, hence some recent additions to the bus timetable.

“We absolutely love what we do,” explains the 53-year-old. “It’s just such great fun and the people who come onto the bus have such fun.

“It’s hard work, too, obviously, but seeing the reactions when people come onboard for the first time makes it worthwhile. And we have such a laugh – you become a part of the diner’s celebration or party, which is lovely.

“Going forward, we’re launching a Harry Potter tour in Edinburgh for Halloween, complete with potions, blankets and butterbeer. We’re also looking at doing a Sex in the City cocktail night to celebrate 20 years of the show.

“Then there’s the festive season coming up – we do a full Christmas dinner on the bus. I don’t get to spend as much time on board as I’d like these days but I always cook the Christmas dinners myself. I wouldn’t miss that for anything.”

The business employs 15 people, including two staff members with autism. Ms Simpson’s 14-year-old son, Bradley, is autistic and she is committed to providing opportunities for all.

“Giving people with autism a chance to find fulfilling employment is very important to me,” explains the 53-year-old. “You have to put your money where your mouth is. David, who is 27, has two degrees yet struggled to find work. I took him on as a researcher and now he pretty much runs the office. He does a fantastic job.”

Ms Simpson, whose husband Stuart works as a diver, was out of the job market for a decade, looking after Bradley and running an overseas property company that ultimately ended in failure.

She was understandably reticent about starting another business - especially one that relies on 50-year-old buses - but has thoroughly enjoyed growing the company from scratch.

“I thought about doing this for years and bringing it to life has been wonderful,” she explains. “Other than having my son it’s been the biggest buzz of my life. The flexibility of working things around family life is one of the best things about being your own boss. And I’ve learned - am still learning - so much about things like the importance of digital marketing and delegation.

“What’s most important is that the customers have a great experience. The minute things aren’t perfect, guests will let you know.

“The downside about running a small business is the worry, the responsibility you have on your shoulders, but I believe that’s inevitable.”

And what advice does Ms Simpson have for others thinking of starting up in the notoriously tough hospitality industry?

“Don’t bank on having an overnight success when you launch a new business,” she says. “And be prepared to put in all the hours under the sun. When you launch a business you have to be everything to everybody. You have to roll your sleeves up and be prepared to do it all, from cleaning the toilets to spreadsheets.

“Staffing is a also big hurdle for any small businesses. It’s so important to get the right people to represent you. I found that really tough at first but two years on we’re almost there. I have a phenomenal team around me and we have such fun.”