Taking their name from a street in the Stranmillis area of their native city, the original line-up was Oscar (Thomas) Askin (vocals), Linda Clandinning (keyboards), Neil Lawson (bass guitar), Jackie Forgie (guitar) and Robert Wakeman (drums).
Clements Café was established in 1999 with the first opening in Donegal Square West, and has since opened several houses throughout Belfast on Lisburn Road, Royal Avenue, Rosemary Street, Botanic Avenue, Stranmillis Road, Queens University Student Union, Queens University Medical Biology Center and Queen's University Physical Education Centre.
He subsequently returned to Belfast and was appointed to the post of Senior Lecturer in Sociology in Stranmillis College of Teacher Education, now known as Stranmillis University College.
Beggs was educated at Ballyclare High School, followed by Stranmillis College, to study teacher training.
Queen's University Belfast initially had no university colleges and the first university college was created in 1985 (St Mary's) and second in 1999 (Stranmillis), these two institutions previously were associated with the university, offering its degrees since 1968.