In its heyday, generations of holidaymakers headed "doon the watter" to step inside and sample its decadent delights of knickerbocker glories, ice cream sodas, and pokey hats.

Decades later, the seaside institution has been restored to its former glory. Thanks to three Scottish businessmen, Nardini's ice-cream parlour in Largs is back in business.

After lying empty and disused for four years, the landmark cafe was reopened yesterday by the Italgelat Consortium, made up of restaurant and club operator John Fox, restaurateur Sep Marini and ice-cream entrepreneur David Equi.

A £2m refurbishment package has breathed new life into the building, as well as providing 100 jobs for the area.

Mr Equi said it was his dream to make Nardini's a place people would once again flock to.

"Before we did this place up, it was a shell," he said. "We have worked very hard to keep the traditional art deco feel to the place and, although it has taken a long time to get here, it was worth the wait.

"Although the Nardini family are no longer involved, we have maintained a very Italian feel and we brought back the old Italian bakery, which Nardini's was once famous for. I am delighted with the result and all the customers seem very happy."

Years of negotiations with Historic Scotland over a revamp of the Category B listed building have culminated in a gracefully restored building, carefully designed to incorporate many of the original art deco features.

The 220-seat cafe was crowded with customers yesterday, many of whom were keen to reminisce about the Nardini's of old.

Dr Robin McDougal, 82, was with his three-year-old grandson Michael. Dr McDougal was in Nardini's when it first opened in 1935.

"I am delighted to see this place is open again," he said. "I was a regular years and years ago and I am delighted to be able to bring my grandson here. I am glad to see that they have maintained the traditional look in a modernised way."

Louise Rettie, 83, and her husband Alex Rettie, 80, also had fond memories of Nardini's.

"It was a very new, grand idea at the time," said Mrs Rettie. "It was a focal point for people in Largs and we are pleased for the town because, for so many years now, we have had tourists coming who were disappointed Nardini's was no longer open."

The ice-cream parlour on the esplanade closed in 2004 after occupying the location for almost 70 years. A rescue plan was launched in 2005 with partial demolition of the building and land sold for flats to allow the cafe to re-open.

Scott Walker, 38, worked in Nardini's for 10 years when it was owned and run by the family. He is now working for the new owners as restaurant and cafe manager.

"The place is back to its old self," he said.

"I worked for Pete Nardini and I knew a lot of the family who were involved in the business so it's a bit strange being back here as an employee with none of the Nardinis about.

"The new owners have worked hard to bring back the old days.

"I'm proud to be back and I am very happy to see so many familiar faces here," added Mr Walker.

The new premises include a pizzeria and an in-house ice-cream factory with help on hand to create individual flavours on request.

Mr Equi has created 48 different flavours of freshly made ice-cream.

Mr Marini said he hoped the mixture of old and new would be embraced by Nardini's customers.

"Even though the Nardini family are no longer here, a lot of the values still remain," he said. "We have brought a Largs institution back to its former glory. All we need now is to conquer the market."