SHAM PEERTHY has converted half of his estate agency into a café to bring in extra money during the economic downturn.

His business, Heathville Scott Associates in Hackney, now sits in the back of a popular café run by his wife Sherl. The change was made last November after Mr Peerthy had to get rid of all his staff because of the worsening economic climate.

"As well as sales and lettings, we do coffee," he said. "You have to diversify. I am the sole trader as it was not financially practical to have a sales team any longer. I don't need such a big space so have utilised it in a different way. It has proved to be a good decision. People come in and use both services."

The 50-year-old father-of-two said some clients now employ him to do catering, with takings from the café accounting for 35 per cent of the company's turnover. "Having the café is unique," he added. "We get an extra bit of income and it is a good way of getting people through the door."

Mr Peerthy, who lives in Barnet, said without the café the business would struggle to survive."The market has been bad. There is nothing selling but I think it is only temporary," he added. One customer, teacher Hazel Lambert, 47, said the café was a great idea. She added: "A lot of people come in for a coffee and look at the houses on offer. It is a very creative way of doing things."

• 

  Lenny Henry: 'Maybe one day we can have a black Doctor Who'

  As he wins the outstanding newcomer prize at the Evening Standard theatre awards for his role as Othello, Lenny Henry has come a long way from black and white minstrels

  ---

• 

  Spread of the Jedhead

  Jedward, voted off the X-Factor this weekend, are the most obvious proponents of the sticky-uppy look - but the style crosses boundaries of age, gender, sexuality and taste, says Nick Curtis

  ---

Sky in plot to hire students on the cheap

Sky News is currently recruiting students as reporters for its coverage of next year's general election. However, the opportunity doesn't quite seem so appealing

All stories