A COUPLE are bringing the gourmet taste of hot dogs to the seafront, after launching a new business.

Lawrie Terry, 28, and her partner James Boshell, 27, are throwing all their energy into their new family enterprise New York Hot Dogs, while having to cope with two-month-old baby daughter Olivia and son Harry, four.

The couple have just opened the new eaterie at the pier arches and are hoping to attract hordes to try their hot dogs.

Lawrie, 28, who is looking after the administration side of the business, said: “James has always wanted to open his own gourmet burger bar, but as there are a few places like that now, we decided to go for hot dogs. We get our hot dogs from Germany. We do other things like pulled pork and we do burgers, but everything is made fresh by our talented chef, Garrod Vann.”

The couple from Whitmore Way, Basildon, were happy to get a home on the seafront.

Lawrie added: “The seafront is great and that’s what drew us here. James loves New York, so we decided to go with that theme.

“It could have been difficult with a new baby, but it’s all been so exciting that it’s been OK.

“Harry has been excited about it all and has really taken to eating hot dogs now.

“We got some T-shirts made, including children’s ones, and Harry insists on wearing it whenever we go to the shop.”

For James, who has previously worked at Burger King, it is the realisation of a lifetime’s ambition.

He said: “The customers have been outstanding. It has been nice to see their reaction.

“We have had a few Americans in and they said it is the only time they had food close to that back home.”

By CHRISTINE SEXTON christine.sexton@nqe.com Our reporter tries a trio