Drift Café Wins Approval to Stay at Old Leigh Marina

June 12, 2026

The owners of a popular waterside café in Old Leigh are celebrating after receiving planning permission to continue serving customers.

Drift Café, run by Jessi Braithwaite, opened six months ago at Leigh Marina in a converted shipping container but had been operating without formal approval from Southend Council.

One of Leigh's favourite cafés, featuring a freshly prepared wholefood menu made entirely from scratch, with no seed oils or refined sugar.

Last week, the council granted planning permission for the business to continue trading as a café, subject to a number of conditions.

Ms Braithwaite welcomed the decision, saying: “We are delighted that Drift has been granted planning permission to remain as a café.”

The business is one of several new ventures to open at Old Leigh Marina and has quickly become a popular destination for local residents and visitors alike.

Located in a prominent corner position within Leigh Marina, the café operates from a converted storage container fitted with a kitchen. Customers are served through a north-facing hatch, with a small number of picnic tables available outside for seating.

Planning documents highlighted the café’s role in creating a welcoming first impression for visitors arriving by train. Situated opposite the stairs leading from Leigh railway station, the kiosk acts as a gateway between the station and the Old Town.

The marina is characterised by storage containers, industrial buildings, moorings and dry-docked boats within a secure fenced area. Officials noted that the café provides the only active frontage within around 250 metres and helps bring activity and vibrancy to an otherwise industrial setting.

The site is located within the Old Leigh Conservation Area, a historic part of the town first recorded as “Legra” in the Domesday Book of 1086. Today, the area remains a thriving fishing community and popular visitor destination, known for its pubs, restaurants and traditional cockle sheds.

Council documents concluded that the kiosk complements the marina’s maritime character while making a positive contribution to the conservation area. The report described the café as a well-used and well-liked local facility that enhances the visitor experience and supports the ongoing vitality of Old Leigh.