Diary was this week confronted by one of life's most profound and philosophical questions: can soup save the world? The simple answer, of course, is ‘no'. But Thurrock Council appears to believe it can – and who is Diary to tell it otherwise?

The authority is hosting a scheme aimed at inspiring business and regeneration discussion over a bowl of soup. For a fiver at the door, delegates are given a sloppy bowl of soup and a bread roll.