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A US-style diner called Grumpy Panda is set to bring a smile to food-lovers as its opening marks a first in Gateshead .

The new venture, believed to be the only vegan and vegetarian eatery of its kind in the town, is set to open its doors on Tuesday.

Run by Beth and Phil Towers, Grumpy Panda is a whole new concept serving American-style diner food such as burgers and hot dogs - only meat-free.

And the couple, self-confessed lovers of the US, say you don’t have to be a vegetarian to enjoy what chef Phil will be conjuring up in the spotless new kitchen.

“I love America,” said Beth, who was feeling a mix of nerves and excitement ahead of the diner’s official opening on July 4 - a fitting date being America’s Independence Day.

(Image: newcastle chronicle)

She and Phil have been running a Grumpy Panda catering company for the past four years, building up a fanbase through their regular appearances at food festivals in the region.

After positive feedback, from veggies and meat-eaters alike, they decided in December that a diner was the natural next step.

“We decided ‘right, it’s time and we decided to go for it’,” said Beth, 26. “We’ve got a big following from the food festivals and when we announced the idea on our Facebook page we got just under 1,000 more likes.”

And the pair think their US-inspired menu - featuring meat alternatives called chikin, baecon and stake - will fill a gap in the market.

Beth added: “I’m born and bred in Gateshead and we knew we wanted to stay this side of the river as there’s nothing here for vegetarians.”

She and 25-year-old Phil, who initially moved up from Kent to attend university in Newcastle , found what they think is an ideal location in Regent Terrace.

The listed building, in the attractive terrace street opposite the north entrance of Gateshead Civic Centre, is just a stone’s through from the Metro and Trinity Square with its growing student population.

For the past few weeks, Beth and Phil have worked flat-out transforming the former NHS clinic into a trend-setting diner, with a black and white panda colour scheme echoed in its chequered floor tiles.

(Image: newcastle chronicle)

A giant toy “grumpy panda” - which always proves a draw for children at the food festivals - has pride of place in the open kitchen-dining area and they’ve also created a panda artwork on wood for the walls.

Elsewhere there are plenty nods to the States, including a Stars and Stripes flag and various states number plates which they picked up on a recent road trip which saw them travel 2,500 miles in a camper van around California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah.

En route they stopped at lots of diners but their non-meat lifestyle would leave them with scant choice on the food front.

But that didn’t stop them taking inspiration from the menu and their twists on all-American favourites include, besides burgers and hot dogs, big grill sandwiches and such sweet treats as waffles and pancakes which can be enjoyed against a backdrop of American music, with all genres - ranging from Shania Twain to Whitesnake - adding to the atmosphere.

“It will probably be the most diverse play-list ever!” said Beth.

Phil, whose past work as a chef has included The Town Wall and The Naked Deli in Newcastle, has worked hard to source vegan ingredients which are not easy to track down and he hopes his food will prove a popular alternative for non-vegetarians too.

Meat-eaters could well find their ideas about veggie food turned on their head.

“It’s not grass and beans and lentils!” said Phil, adding: “We’ve done a lot of research and found some good suppliers with some great produce.”

(Image: Grumpy Panda)

Among the quirky names for the dishes is the Oklahoma Is OK burger whose name is taken from the words from one of the car registration plates on the wall.

Another eye-catching touch which diners will notice is its Release The Kraken food challenge which involves eating a selection of menu items in 15 minutes. Anyone successful will win a T-shirt and have his or her name added to its Wall of Fame while failures will appear on the Wall of Shame.

Further back on the ground-floor will be a family-friendly room, with toys for children and a baby-change area, set aside for those wanting somewhere a little quieter, while upstairs there will be a meeting room which can be used for group bookings.

Beth and Phil are also in the process of applying for a drinks licence which will also mean they can host events such as summer BBQs.

With Beth’s sister, 15-year-old Charlotte, enlisted to help out, Beth and Phil hosted an open evening at Grumpy Panda on Thursday so first-time customers could try food half-price. The business will be properly up and running on Tuesday from 8.30am, starting with breakfasts then catering up until 6pm, with plans to extend until 7pm mid-week if there’s the demand.

Saturday opening will be from 11am until 7pm and it will be closed Sunday and Monday.