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Plymouth’s new vegan supermarket is ready to open – and is expecting a rush of customers for its range of 700 non-animal products.

The Plymouth Vegan Company is opening in a unit at Faraday Mill Business Park at 10am on Saturday, March 2, 2019.

The new store stocks food, including fresh fruit and veg and in a freezer department, cosmetics, cleaning materials – and even alcohol when it gets its licence in a few weeks time.

And with Easter around the corner, its selection of treats includes non-diary chocolate eggs.

Everything is vegan, environmentally friendly and cruelty free.

And if you think 700 products is a lot, it’s just the tip of the vegan iceberg: the Vegan Co has access to 20,000 products and can take orders.

“Getting anything we are asked for is not problem at all,” said company director Chris Harris. “People can come in and tell us what they want and we can source it.”

(Image: Penny Cross / Plymouth Live)

The supermarket is the brainchild of Plymouth businesswoman Jo Lines, who turned vegan in April 2018 after attending the Unleash the Power Within personal coaching course in London, which introduced her to plant-based diets.

Jo had hated eating meat as a child, though ditched meat and dairy for health reasons. But after her conversion she became frustrated trying to find vegan products in conventional supermarkets and stores.

(Image: Penny Cross / Plymouth Live)

She was already moved to diversify from the property businesses, including Novahomes Sales and Lettings, she has successfully run in Plymouth.

So now she owns the new business with 19-year-old daughter Sophie Lines, who will also work in the store, and Chris and Charlotte Harris, who already own online vegan hamper business Wild Raddish.

The couple also had the House of Harris store, which sold Yankee Candles and other cosmetics, at Faraday Mill. They have moved all stock to their Exeter outlet, freeing up the unit, for which they have a lease, to house Plymouth Vegan Co, and it can house their hampers, of which they sell up to 200 a day, too.

Now the store is stocked and ready to trade. Its vast product range includes eco-friendly laundry products, shampoos, toilet rolls and toothbrushes made from bamboo, even babies nappies.

(Image: Penny Cross / Plymouth Live)

Jo said the idea of the store is to have everything for the conscientious vegan under one roof.

“It’s for the bigger shops,” she said. “But we even have a range of vegan sandwiches, and vegan ice creams. And, of course, our Vegan Co mugs, which are very pretty.”

“We are trying to source locally,” said Chris. “And the next big move for us is to go zero waste.”

The first customers will be able to enjoy free vegan cakes, made by Plymouth area business V for Veggie, during the 10am to 6pm opening day. Already 1,200 people have expressed an interest in being there on Facebook.

After that Plymouth Vegan Co will be open seven days a week, with Jo, Sophie, Chris and Charlotte being joined by staff Kori Swabey and Kezz Keogh, both also vegans.

(Image: Penny Cross / Plymouth Live) (Image: Penny Cross / Plymouth Live)

Plymouth Vegan Co has use of an adjoining warehouse at Faraday Mill, which the supermarket could expand into if it needs to.

Plymouth-based Marina Leadbetter, who provides freelance business support for firms in the city, has helped set up the business – and is a vegan too.

She said vegan businesses are booming and has been working with Plymouth companies on strategy for tapping into the vegan market.

“Veganism is huge,” she said. “It’s taking over the world.”

Plymouth Vegan Company will open every day from 9am until 6pm, and 7pm on Thursdays, and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

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