For Celestine Agbo celebrating the first anniversary of art-gallery-come-coffee shop is the realisation of a 20-year dream.

The 45-year-old and his wife Beila Chakravarty-Agbo had planned for more than two decades to set up Pepperton UK a coffee shop which doubles as a gallery specialising in contemporary art.

Serving vegetarian and vegan food Mr Agbo says he has had nothing but positive comments about the Selhurst Road coffee shop.

He said: "The business came out of a dream I'd had for the last 20 years, and it came together piece by piece.

"Many people tell me that this place should be in the West End or on the High Street. But I say What, do you think people in Selhurst don't deserve a coffee shop like this?' We've had nothing but good feedback so far."

But as well as a filling vegetarian snack and a cup of coffee Pepperton UK also offers a place to view some of the biggest names in contemporary art as well as local artists, who according to Mr Agbo are clamouring to have their work displayed on his walls.

He said: "My wife works for the Tate Modern so know lots of people in the art world. We've had local artists on our walls but also works by people like Tracy Emin."

The business has also been shortlisted for a number of awards including the LBC and Independent best coffee shop award and the HSBC Start-Up Stars Awards 2004.

To promote his business Mr Agbo is planning on taking a stall at Guardian-sponsored Business First exhibition on October 6 and 7 at the Fairfield.

He said: "Well we are a new business and we need to get the word out and I think taking a stand is probably the best way to reach a lot of people."

For more information about Business First contact the Croydon Chamber of Commerce on 020 8680 2165 or go to www.croydonchamber.org.uk/ businessfirst.