England

Popular Organisations & Brands
Vegan fine dining restaurant Land

© Land
Food Service

Birmingham-Based Vegan Fine Dining Restaurant ‘Land’ Announces Expansion

Land, a vegan fine dining restaurant in Birmingham, UK, is expanding its premises to accommodate more customers. As reported by Secret Birmingham, the kitchen will double in size to improve efficiency, while the seating area will be able to accommodate six more covers. There will also be a new welcome area, bar seating, lounge chairs, and a wine table. “Land revolves around seasonality and showcasing the best produce from the land. We’re so pleased to be growing and extending with additional areas so more guests can enjoy what we do,” Adrian Luck and Tony Cridland, co-head chefs of Land, told Secret Birmingham. Michelin Guide approved The news comes after Land was featured in this year’s Michelin Guide, which highlighted it as one of the UK’s …

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© Uncommon
Politics & Law

UK Food Standards Agency Unveils New Guidance on Authorisation Process for Cell-Cultivated Products in Great Britain

The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has recently released guidance for businesses on cell-cultivated products and the authorisation process to market these products in Great Britain.  The FSA is responsible for food safety and food hygiene in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. However, this guide is specific to England and Wales.  The FSA’s new guidance combines general food law regulations with novel food and GMO regulations and offers business advice to streamline the authorisation process. It includes definitions, status, application details, and recommendations on product safety, labelling, and tasting trials. The UK government has been looking to streamline the approval for cultivated meat to boost food security and sustainability. Meanwhile, the first cultivated meat product on the market is still pending in the UK. To …

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Neat Burger to close four London locations

© Neat Burger
Fast Food

Neat Burger to Close Four London Locations Following Decrease in Footfall

UK-based vegan restaurant chain Neat Burger has announced it will be closing four of its London locations due to “macro pressures reflected across the industry”. The company said the shift towards remote and hybrid working patterns had reduced footfall, while rising food, energy, and property costs were also negatively impacting sales. Neat Burger’s losses increased by 140% last year, reaching £7.9 million. Consequently, the chain’s restaurants in Liverpool Street, Canary Wharf, Oxford Street, and Westfield Stratford will close before Christmas, leaving four remaining locations. Neat Burger says any future expansion will focus on compact, high-footfall locations, and has dropped plans for new sites in Kings Road, Waterloo, Queensway, and the O2 Arena. The chain will also work to expand its delivery radius in partnership with …

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Plant Based World Expo Europe

© Plant Based World Expo Europe
Fairs & Events

Plant Based World Expo Europe Welcomes Over 3,700 Attendees From 25 Countries

Plant Based World Expo Europe — the continent’s largest fully plant-based trade event — took place in London for the third time from November 15-16. This year’s event saw over 3,700 attendees from more than 25 countries, including representatives from food service, retail, and the wider food and beverage sector. Notable attendees included senior decision makers from major companies such as Sodexo and Nestle, as well as university academics, government advisors, and research leads from ProVeg and Plant Futures. Exhibitors such as Upfield highlighted the environmentally friendly credentials of their foods, while others demonstrated products made from vegetables and whole foods — a growing trend as consumers look for less processed and more nutritious options. Meanwhile, plant-based pizzeria Purezza announced its merger with artisan vegan …

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Koocha Mezze Bar Sunday roast

© Koocha Mezze Bar
Food Service

Bristol’s Koocha Mezze Bar Partners With Juicy Marbles for Vegan Roast Dinner

Koocha Mezze Bar, a popular Persian-inspired plant-based restaurant in Bristol, UK, has added a vegan roast dinner to its menu. The centrepiece of the dish is a wellington, featuring Juicy Marbles‘ plant-based steak along with mushroom and chestnut duxelles. The wellington is served on a bed of parsnip hummus, and is accompanied by saffron and rosemary roast potatoes, maple and zaatar glazed carrots, broccoli, parmesan smashed sprouts, Yorkshire pudding, sausage stuffing, and red wine gravy. An optional side of cauliflower cheese is also available. “Today marks the first day of serving you our incredible Koocha Sunday roast dinner, and wow has it gone down a treat!” said Koocha on Instagram. “The feedback so far from you all has been incredible!” The roast will be available …

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vegan business conference organisers Lisa and David

© Vegan Business Tribe
Fairs & Events

Vegan Business Tribe Live Returns to VegFestUK London with “Rockstar” Speaker Lineup

After a hugely successful premiere in 2022, Vegan Business Tribe Live returns to VegFestUK London 2023 with a speaker lineup of vegan business owners, including the founders of THIS, One Planet Pizza, and Better Nature. Organised by the online vegan business support community Vegan Business Tribe and sponsored by Vegan Accountants, the programme features live events, panels, workshops, and networking to “showcase the best of the vegan scene and help those looking to grow a vegan business.” “I attended the first Vegan Business Tribe Live last year with some ideas about setting up my own business. A year on, I’m now running an award-winning food business in Bristol and am already expanding. The information I learned at the event was crucial for getting me off …

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Beck Hall plant-based hotel

© Beck Hall
Tourism & Travel

Yorkshire’s Beck Hall to Become “England’s First” Fully Plant-Based Hotel

Luxury Yorkshire hotel Beck Hall is set to become fully plant-based from December 1. The hotel, which is located in the village of Malham in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, claims to be the first in England to make the transition. On Facebook, owners Louise and Andy Macbeth explained that they had personally transitioned to a vegan diet for ethical reasons and wanted the business to reflect their values. The hotel’s menu is already around 50% plant-based, and the couple say they are “developing some of the most innovative, exciting and delicious vegan dishes we’ve ever tried” in preparation to become fully animal-free. The food is described as “for everyone”, not just for vegans and vegetarians. It will include Sunday roasts and afternoon teas as …

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Lambeth borough endorses the Plant Based Treaty

© Plant Based Treaty
Charity & Campaigns

Lambeth Becomes First London Borough to Endorse Global Plant Based Treaty

Lambeth has become the first borough of London, UK, to endorse the global Plant Based Treaty in an attempt to cut food-related emissions. As part of the endorsement, Lambeth Council has pledged to improve access to plant-based foods among residents, with the aim of promoting food security and better health as well as lower emissions. Vulnerable households will receive vouchers to buy fresh local produce, while fruit and vegetable intake will be promoted to children through school activities. The council will also measure its food-related emissions and work to reduce them; this will include lowering the consumption of animal products at council-run events. Businesses that prioritise sustainable agriculture practices and food procurement will be supported, while council communications channels will be used to promote sustainable …

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PBWE Europe

© PBWE Europe
Fairs & Events

PBWE Europe Reveals Plant-Based 2.0 Trends, Highlights The UK’s Long-Term Growth

Ahead of the upcoming event and its return to London next month, Plant Based World Expo Europe (PBWE Europe), the largest 100% plant-based trade event in the region, provides insights on the present and future of the sector and unveils its predictions on food trends for what it calls the plant-based 2.0 industry. PBWE Europe says it projects long-term growth for the UK’s plant-based food industry, with the market growing by 9.58% and London being “officially” the most vegan-friendly city in the world, according to the organisers. The UK’s growth is framed under the global plant-based food market, expected to reach $115.3 billion by 2035, representing a compound annual growth rate of 16.5%. Mirroring the market, PPBWE Europe says it is also experiencing growth and preparing …

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Mike Hill of veg-net

Mike Hill. Image supplied.
Fairs & Events

New Plant-Based Brand Event veg-net Sees “Unprecedented Demand”

veg-net, a new in-person event that will connect plant-based brands with buyers and experts, says it is seeing huge demand and support from the industry. Several leading plant-based organisations — including Veg Capital, Kale United, The Vegan Society, ProVeg International, and Vegan Business Tribe — have already come on board as strategic partners of the event, which will take place for the first time on June 5 next year. “As ProVeg, we are thrilled to support and attend the inaugural veg-net networking event set for June 2024,” said Mathilde Alexandre of ProVeg International. “In these dynamic and transformative times, it is paramount to foster events that unite the entire plant-based sector, bringing together brands, buyers, and industry organizations. This event presents a unique opportunity for …

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CDMO Extracellular has opened what it claims is Europe's largest contract pilot plant for cultivated meat and seafood in Bristol, the UK.

Image courtesy of Extracellular
Cultivated Meat

Extracellular Unveils Europe’s Largest Contract Pilot Facility for Cultivated Meat & Seafood

CDMO Extracellular announces it has opened what it claims is Europe’s largest contract pilot plant for cultivated meat and seafood in Bristol, the UK.  The facility, established for food-grade operations, will provide essential scale-up and manufacturing services to assist cultivated meat companies in achieving their production goals and mitigating the expense and time associated with building new sites. According to Extracellular, its pilot plant currently has an operational capacity of 200 L and is expected to reach 2,000 L by December 2023. It can produce up to 50t of cultivated meat annually; however, the facility is expected to reach 100t per year. The facility will hold multiple bioreactors from 50 L to 5,000 L and has a planned capacity to hold 10,000 liters. Great consumer products at achievable …

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Colourful plant-based signage at PBWE 2022

© Plant Based World Expo Europe
Fairs & Events

PBWE Europe Reveals Lineup for November Including Veganuary Film Premiere

Plant Based World Expo Europe reveals the conference lineup for the Plant Based World Pulse Theatre, taking place at ExCeL London on 15th and 16th November 2023. Excitingly, PBWE, the largest 100% plant-based trade event in Europe, is set to feature the UK film premiere of “It’ll Never Catch On: The Veganuary Story 10 Years On” (Nov 16, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm), a short film marking a decade of the world-famous vegan movement. The viewing will be followed by a Q&A session with the charity’s founders Jane Land and Matthew Glover. Leadership addresses and panels The theatre will bring together academics, regulatory advisors, thought leaders, and industry organisations, discussing the collective challenges affecting the UK’s vegan food industry and strategies to plan and implement …

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© En Root/The Railway Tavern
Food Service

South London’s The Railway Tavern Becomes Latest Pub to Go Permanently Vegan

Following the sad closure of many vegan restaurants due to rising costs, there has been some good news this month as London’s The Railway Tavern confirms it is becoming permanently plant-based. For the past three months, the Tulse Hill pub has been hosting a popup by En Root, a London restaurant group offering Indian-inspired vegan cuisine. The collaboration has proven such a success that En Root has permanently taken over The Railway Tavern’s kitchen, making it South London’s first fully plant-based pub. The menu features dishes such as crispy oyster mushroom burgers, Tandoori wings with chickpea batter, and a poppadom-based nacho-style dish. Desserts include mango lassi cheesecake and beetroot blueberry cacao brownies, while on Sundays a plant-based wellington is available. All drinks are also plant-based. …

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MF No duja

@ Meatless Farm
Company News

Meatless Farm Back on Shelves Less Than a Month After Facing Administration

Best-selling products from UK alt meat brand Meatless Farm are back on supermarket shelves, along with a new product development said to be the first-to-market, just weeks after famously being acquired by industry peer VFC. Speaking to vegconomist on the acquisition of the brand, VFC Co-founder Matthew Glover said that the acquisition, financed from the company’s cash reserves, marks a crucial milestone for the company and its mission to remove animals from the food chain. A major step for plant-based “Those claiming the plant-based food movement has peaked are mistaken. The consumer appetite for plant-based is still there and at a total EU level, the category is in growth, with unit sales growth of the plant-based milk, meat and cheese categories outpacing that of animal-based …

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Mango jerky for dogs by Lily's Kitchen

Image courtesy of Lily's Kitchen
Pet Food

Lily’s Kitchen Finds Success in Plant Power Meals and Treats for Dogs

As demand for vegan pet food soars, natural pet food brand Lily’s Kitchen, acquired by Nestlé Purina PetCare, has been expanding its vegan range for dogs into independent pet shops and retailers such as Sainsbury’s and Pets at Home. Lily’s Kitchen was founded in 2008 by Henrietta Morrison in London to offer dogs and cats natural and healthy wet and dry foods. The brand became popular among younger pet owners and millennials, and by 2019, its products retailed in 6,000 stores in 30 countries worldwide. In 2020, Nestlé Purina PetCare acquired the premium pet food company valued at an estimated £85 million. In 2021, after the rise in dog options during the pandemic lockdown and the new consumer awareness of the benefits of plant-based food, …

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Plant Based World Expo

© Plant Based World Expo
Fairs & Events

V-Label Invites Licensees to Feature in Pavilion at PBW Europe

V-Label, an internationally recognised symbol for labelling vegan and vegetarian products, has announced that there are a limited number of booths remaining in its pavilion at Plant Based World Expo Europe (PBW) later this year. The pavilion is exclusively for V-Label licensees, though those who are in the process of becoming licensed are also eligible. As part of the collaboration between V-Label and PBW, this year’s V-Label Awards will also be taking place at the event, and those with booths in the pavilion will receive free entry to the Awards for three of their products. According to V-Label, the pavilion will be a high-traffic area, so licensees will be able to gain significant exposure. V-Label’s participation in the show program should also bring increased attention. …

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Camilla Barnard, co founder Rude Health

Camilla Barnard © Rude Health

Milk- and Dairy Alternatives

Rude Health: “Since 2005 We Have Continued to Challenge the Assumption That Healthy Food is Bland and Boring”

B Corp-certified Rude Health was born in 2005 when Nick and Camilla Barnard created the Ultimate Muesli around their kitchen table. Now 18 years later, the London brand sells a wide range of clean-label dairy-free m*lks, mueslis and cereals, crackers, and snack bars that have earned an impressive 23 Great Taste awards. There’s even a Rude Health cafe, located at the New King’s Road in Fulham. The Rude Health plant milks include the consumer favourites like coconut, soy, oat, and almond but also encompass more unusual offerings such as brown rice and cashew milks (vegconomist has sampled and can confirm they are delicious) and the products are all created with natural ingredients as well as being free of palm oil. We were pleased to chat …

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PBWE 2022 show floor

© PBWE Europe
Fairs & Events

PBWE Europe: Registration Now Open as the Biggest Plant-Based Industry Event Prepares to Return to London

Announcing the commencement of attendee registration this month, the Plant Based World Expo Europe enters its third year with great anticipation. Taking place on the 15th and 16th of November 2023, the event relocates to the expansive ExCeL London; a growing space for an evolving industry. Over the course of two days, professionals from the food and beverage industry will get the chance to surround themselves with the latest groundbreaking plant-based products, gain insights from industry leaders, and forge connections to advance their businesses. This truly global trade show unites manufacturers from across international markets, offering attendees an exclusive opportunity a glimpse of products yet to reach UK shores. Household names will join startups and growing brands from all categories, including meat alternatives, non-dairy, snacks, …

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VeBurger opens in UK's "vegan capital", Bristol

© VeBurger
Food Service

Bristol’s Thriving Plant-Based Scene Expands With New Vegan Hotspots

As another plant-based restaurant arrives in Bristol — often said to be the vegan capital of the UK — we take a look at some of the eateries that have opened their doors in the city over the past year. VeBurger The newest addition to Bristol’s vegan restaurant scene is VeBurger, a plant-based burger joint that is set to open in Wapping Wharf. The location will offer some of the cheapest vegan burgers in the city, with prices starting at just £2.99. VeBurger launched last year as a delivery service and was so successful that it soon began searching for a storefront. The burger joint will open on May 29, offering free food to its first 100 customers. Vegan India Last month, Bristol got its …

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WNWN founders

© WNWN Food Labs
Sweets & Snacks

Alt Choc Pioneer WNWN Reveals Milk Chocolate Without Either Milk or Cocoa

London-based WNWN Food Labs, the first to bring cocoa-free chocolate to market, today announces that its first “milk” chocolate products are in the pipeline. WNWN’s milk chocolate is free from cocoa and dairy and features oats as well tiger nuts, sustainably sourced from Spain where they are known as chufas, traditionally used in the traditional Spanish drink Horchata. WNWN describes its milk chocolate as “sweeter and creamier than its dark counterpart, with notes of mocha, malt, and hazelnut, and a buttery finish”.  Having raised $5.6 million (£4.5m) to bring its cocoa-free chocolate range to UK retail this February and then going on to create the “world’s first” cocoa-free chocolate Easter egg, WNWN now reports that it has successfully completed the recipe and process for a …

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