Vegan establishments in Liverpool are feeling underwhelmed by Veganuary this year and are urging people to support independent businesses.
Veganuary is one of the many ways people try and reinvent themselves in the New Year, but plant-based businesses in the city think the Liverpool community could do more to support small establishments during the month.
Down The Hatch, a vegan-based restaurant in Liverpool for over nine years, joins in on Veganuary, offering deals and discounts on their food.
The restaurants general manager Rikki Baker views the challenge in positive light.
She said: “It’s a great opportunity to try new things and save some money.”
But despite viewing the challenge as beneficial, Baker doesn’t feel this year’s Veganuary is the same.
She said: “I’m quite disappointed with how the cities come together for it. I feel there’s not been a lot to offer this year, so I do feel disheartened about it.
“Your vegan section that used to be three fridges is now half of one fridge.”
Baker feels that there is a good hub and community for a vegan diet but believes businesses could use more support from the council.
She said: “I feel there could be more funding to help the business, even for regular restaurants who want to promote vegan food but are worried about losing out on customers.”
Corporate fast-food chains like McDonald’s and burger will now market vegan products every January, driving customers to their stores and taking eyes away from independent businesses.
Maria Mappouridis is the co-owner and company director of popular plant-based café The Vibe and was inspired to open after being an activist against animal cruelty and slaughter.
She thinks anywhere doing anything vegan is a win but stated that rather the people that can bring support to local businesses.
She said: “Anything that can help and support people trying to go vegan or reduce their animal product consumption and it’s just so amazing for animals, for themselves, for the planet, and they can get a lot of support through Veganuary.
“But it’s us that have the power as the consumer, and the big companies are only going to pay them to do.”
Veganuary began at the beginning of 2014, a campaign launched in the UK by Jane Land and Matthew Glover to encourage people to try a vegan diet for the entire month.
The original campaign was run from their bedroom and saw 3,000 people sign up, and by this year the current number of signups in the UK is over six million.
Last year food guru and a member of the healthcare chiefs Tim Spector called on the NHS trust to change foods in hospital to vegan arguing it would provide patients with healthier food while also help cut food related greenhouse gas emission by up to half.
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