A CAFE on Southend Pier, which was refurbished by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, has reopened as an ice cream parlour.

The green and yellow venue was revamped last year, as the TV chef filmed a Channel Four series on the pier with his farmer friend Jimmy Doherty, featuring guest appearances from Gwyneth Paltrow and Jonathon Ross.
 

It reopened last Friday, at the same time as the Pier Cultural Centre launched its Trotters on Sea exhibition, showcasing original costumes, props and memorabilia from the popular BBC TV show Only Fools and Horses.
 

A council spokesperson said: “The pier team is using the cafe as part of its catering capability, offering ice creams and takeaway drinks.
 

“The cafe hasn’t been leased to anyone else yet, as it is still being used by Jamie’s production team for filming, but we are working around it on a casual basis in busy periods.”
 

The sign for Jamie and Jimmy’s is still in place, but the main part of the cafe that was used for filming is blocked off.
 

However, the ice cream booth is open, and council staff are selling crisps, canned drinks, hot drinks and ice creams. There are two tables outside, and several benches.
 

Derek Jarvis, the council’s cabinet member for culture and tourism, was always keen for the public to access the cafe.
 

He said: “If the production company calls us the night before and says it wants to use the cafe at 11am, we can accommodate that, where most businesses couldn’t just drop what they’re doing.”
 

Jamie and Jimmy’s Food Fight Club has so far run for one series, with four episodes, ending in December. It looks set to return for a second series.