Businessman Gary Hogben intends to bring a slice of Leigh cafe society to Old Corringham.

Coffee? - Gary Hogben owner of Cafe Blue Picture: FRAZER CLARK

The multi-faceted entrepreneur - who also DJs and teaches martial arts - believes Corringham is overdue a place where locals can kick back and enjoy a frothy coffee.

But originally not everyone agreed with Gary's dream of turning his former party shop, Let's Party - and the adjacent DJ supplies store - into a Central Perk-style eatery.

His application for an A3 hot food licence at the Lampits Hill premises was turned down, despite having the support of local councillors including now leader of Thurrock Council Anne Cheale.

So the Hadleigh-based businessman turned to people power to achieve his goal of opening Cafe Blue.

Mr Hogben put out a petition and managed to sign up 2,000 people.

He said: "I think the petition swung it. People know me from my time DJing at the Great Hong Kong restaurant off the high street in Stanford.

"People who signed the petition liked the idea of alfresco dining in the area. There is nothing like it."

Up to 12 full and part-time jobs will be created when the cafe opens its doors for the first time the day after the bank holiday weekend on Tuesday, August 31

Published Friday August 20, 2004

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