PLANT-BASED entrepreneurs with a mission to make vegan meals more accessible are expanding into Colchester.

Hank’s Deli is opening in the town next month to serve a range of breakfasts, brunches, coffees, sandwiches and fast food - all of which will be 100 per cent vegan.

Geoffrey Bligh and partner Philip Rivers already run four vegan eateries in Suffolk under their business name Peninsula Vegan Foods, but the newest venue will be their first one in Essex.

Hank’s Deli and Hank’s Dirty, which offers an cruelty-free fast food menu, will be combined into one location in Culver Street West.

Gazette: Tasty - Hank's Deli's vegan breakfast Tasty - Hank's Deli's vegan breakfast

An official date for the July opening has not yet been announced.

Geoffrey, who is originally from Canada, said: “Our mission from day one has always been to make vegan food more accessible and to allow people to have the things they love like burgers, kebabs and fried breakfasts, but make them vegan without compromising on taste or value.

“We’re really proud of our offering and our team work tirelessly to ensure we always delivery great value and incredible tasting food.”

He anticipates eight to ten members of staff will be needed once the new deli is fully up and running.

He added: “We’ve got a great base of customers already - many people travel from Colchester to shop in our grocery store or eat at one of our restaurants.

Gazette: Fast food - they offer plant-based fast food Fast food - they offer plant-based fast food

“We already deliver groceries every Sunday to Colchester and surrounding area and many, many people ask us to open in town. I think Colchester has a great vegan community, but we are also really glad that our food attracts a really wide audience as well - so it is really something for everyone.”

The team behind Hank’s Deli say they are most renowned for their breakfasts.

Geoffrey said: “Our breakfasts have been one of our steadfast menu items since we opened our first cafe, but our new MacMuffin breakfast muffins have been incredibly popular, and our fast food kebabs and chicken have have gone down a storm.”

To find out more about the business, visit peninsula veganfoods.com/home.