A young man from Faversham – whose life was turned around with the help of the Costa coffee chain – is encouraging people to back its bid for a town centre spot.

Amid a barrage of opposition fighting to keep the chain out of Market Place, one of Costa’s employees says it is an excellent opportunity for the town.

Ben Martin, 28, who attended both St Mary’s primary and the Abbey School, made Faversham News headlines when he turned to a sandwich board to advertise the fact he needed work after being unemployed for more than six months.

Despite the graduate’s persistence in sending out hundreds of job applications, Ben resorted to becoming a walking advertisement.

But it was Costa that finally saved him in 2013.

Approached directly by a manager at the Tesco Costa in Crescent Road, Ben landed a job and has now worked his way up to assistant manager, on the road to progressing even further with a company Ben says is “always developing your skills”.

He said: “I was sending out dozens of applications every day but it just got to a point when I couldn’t carry on.

“I decided to use the sandwich board idea and someone from Costa approached me. As they say, the rest is history.”

Ben, of Buttermere, has already been through a number of training programmes and is soon to take part in one to boost him to manager level.

He is now working at a Canterbury Costa but is hoping to move over to the Market Place café in Faversham when it opens.

He added: “It has been great for me, but I want this to happen for someone else.

“It is a great company to work for and is offering employment that we so desperately need in Faversham. Costa is a company that is always pushing you to unlock your potential.

“People are so against Costa coming in, but towns work better when they have both independents and chains.

"Look at Whitstable – they have a Costa right in the middle of their high street. Further afield in Tenterden and Deal, they have the same, and it has reinvigorated the high street" - Ben Martin

“Look at Whitstable – they have a Costa right in the middle of their high street. Further afield in Tenterden and Deal, they have the same, and it has reinvigorated the high street.”

Costa spokesman Ben Copithorne said: “Proposals for a new Costa in Faversham could create approximately 10 new jobs.

“These new roles would be in addition to those people already employed by Costa in its coffee shop within Tesco.

“If approved, Costa has committed to carrying out recruitment for positions in the proposed new Market Place Costa locally – using the Alexander Centre for a recruitment and applications event.

“There are many interesting and rewarding stories about people developing their careers at Costa. Locally, Ben Martin is now an assistant manager.

“Ben is an excellent example of how we are helping to provide meaningful opportunities for young people and to develop potential into rewarding careers.”

To hear another side of the argument, click here for Oliver Sebastien's alternative ideas for the Market Place building.