The co-founder of Tastecard, which offers diners discounts on meals at a range of restaurants, said eateries need to adapt to these 'challenging times

Restaurants must cater to vegan demand, says one expert (Photo: Adobe. Do not use without permission)

Restaurants must embrace vegan dining if they are to survive in these 'challenging times', a dining expert has warned.

Matt Turner, the co-founder of tastecard which offers participants discounts at restaurants, says eateries have been hit by a range of factors including over-expansion and rising costs.

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Embrace veganism

Turner told the Press Association that one of the ways restaurants can overcome these challenges is to 'make sure they capitalize on trends such as veganism'.

"It's crucial that restaurants have their fingers on the pulse about what’s in demand now and what’s around the corner," he added. "Restaurants can’t be complacent – they have to plug into what the public wants."

He cited Zizzi and Ask as benefitting from 'embracing the vegan trend early on'.

'Not a trend'

Turner's comments follow a similar sentiment recently shared by top French chef Raymond Blanc, who says chefs, home-cooks and retailers should embrace vegan and vegetarian food.

Blanc, chef patron at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons which has two Michelin stars, spoke about changing attitudes towards plant-based food in a recent interview with The Telegraph.

"Today, there is a true realization that we must change the way we eat," he said. "Vegetarianism and veganism is not a trend, but an important change based on knowledge and awareness that we, be it chefs, home-cooks and retailers alike, must embrace."