A WOMAN has set up a vintage cafe celebrating the life of her grandmother.

Jackie O’Beirne, 44, from Seaton Carew, Hartlepool, has opened Gladys’ Tearooms near the Seaton Hotel on Front Street and filled it full of 1940s memorabilia.

The launch fulfills Mrs O’Beirne’s lifetime dream as she recreates the cosy atmosphere of her late grandmother’s house on Jutland Road, Hartlepool when she visited it as child.

Her grandmother, Gladys Parkes, died more than 20 years ago, aged 73.

The former hairdresser and beauty therapist had thought about setting up the shop for years, but decided to go for it when her own children grew up and her interest in hairdressing waned.

She said: “I really like the glamour of the 1940s, the old-fashioned ways. It’s so beautiful and the clothes are lovely.”

She added: “Life seemed so simple then. People seemed to have more time for each other. We take the time to talk to people here and they often stay for hours.”

Mrs Beirne describes the public response as amazing, lovely and fabulous, mentioning that two bikers travelled more than 200 miles just to pay a visit.

The shop is full of keepsakes from the era - sideboards, tables, chairs, crockery, pictures and flags. The staff also don 1940s-style tea dresses and wear their hair up in scarves, while the music of Glenn Miller plays in the background.

Not surprisingly, Mrs Beirne’s favourite item in the shop is a photograph of her nana.

“She’s there on the sideboard looking down on us,” she said.