A new vegan wellness hub will open in Manchester's Northern Quarter, hoping to support the community with affordable animal-friendly meals costing less than a fiver.

Opening in Afflecks on Wednesday February 1, the Manchester Vegan and Wellbeing Centre will be open for lunch from 11am to 3pm, with a view to open until 6pm once they get settled into the space.

But it's going to be much more than just a café, explains director Gina Topliss Frost.

"It's fundamentally a café but it's called a wellbeing centre because that's at the heart of it. We've even got heart-shaped crockery to resemble the fact that we want to look after your health."

Alongside healthy meals, visitors can get support and information on a range of workshops to improve diet and health.

At the launch next month, the café aims to serve a selection of affordable vegan food priced at around £3 to £5, although final prices have yet to be confirmed.

There will be pizzas made from quinoa, alternative cheeses, no-bake oatcakes, and other vegan treats yet to be confirmed.

But despite having an interest in wellbeing, the Manchester Vegan and Wellbeing Centre will be open to all, Gina adds.

"All are welcome... this is somewhere you can pop in and chat to people while you're having your lunch."

Set inside the Three Minute Theatre on the ground floor of Afflecks, the Manchester Vegan and Wellbeing Centre will be entirely not-for-profit, with any surplus going back into the Square Circle Theatre project. Founded by Gina in 2013, the community theatre group runs projects that help people that are usually 'out of sight out of mind'.

"Women over 50, people who are not really engaging much with society, and who are more vulnerable," says Gina. "It's about really getting those people engaged to help them for future."

For more information visit the Facebook event page here , or email mcrvegancentre@gmail.com.