Cambridge Vegan Market returns to The Guildhall, in the heart of the city, on Sunday 11 March. Sponsored this year by workers’ co-operative Arjuna Wholefoods, the long established Mill Road vegetarian wholefood shop, you’ll find an enormous variety of vegan products, from food to cosmetics to clothing.
I spoke to Lewis Beresford who founded Vegan Markets UK with one very simple aim. “I want to create a relaxed, inclusive atmosphere where everyone, whether they’re vegan, vegetarian or just curious to find out more, can come and see what’s on offer and get to understand the food, the drink and the lifestyle.”
A vegan himself, Lewis knows Cambridge well as he graduated in engineering from Clare College. So it was a natural step to hold his first Vegan Market here in October 2016. It was such a success that Lewis now also runs markets in Oxford, Derby and Nottingham with a couple of other locations currently in the pipeline.
Food stands will include London-based Lola’s Cupcakes with their vegan brownies and cupcakes. There’ll be five hot vegan food stands, amongst which you’ll find Pho with their Vietnamese street food, Indian food from Home Vegan Kitchen and Cambridge’s own Arepa’s Station with their Venezuelan dishes.
Drinks exhibitors will include Green Tea Artisan, showing their range of speciality teas from China, Japan and Nepal. For alcoholic vegan refreshment, head over the road to The Pint Shop on Peas Hill where you’ll be able to enjoy a selection of vegan ales, lagers and ciders.
There’ll be a range of clothing to check out, all ethically produced and 100% vegan, from producers such as Vegan Deviant with their T shirts featuring quirky slogans. And you’ll find stalls offering ethically produced cosmetics, including Clean and Natural with its 100% natural and organic skin and hair products.
The Vegan Market opens at 10.30am and closes at 4pm. Lewis recommends arriving early as the venue gets very busy through the day. Tickets are available on the door and cost £2 for an adult while children get in free. The first 100 people to arrive will get some free vegan goodies and if you bring your own mug, you’ll even get a free tea or coffee!
http://www.arjunawholefoods.co.uk
The Guildhall, Market Square, Cambridge CB2 3QJ
New in Cambridge 