London is a brutal place for any business and vegan restaurants have it especially tough.
Business rates rising constantly, VAT horrors, wages, insurance, and soaring ingredient costs all make life in the UK capital close to impossible for independent vegan food businesses.
But add the threat of redevelopment and eviction to the mix and that creates a whole new level of hardship. Just ask Charles at Fed By Plants.
Read more below.
Fed By Plants, and it’s owner Charles Diallo, have been winning over hearts and tummies for a few years but now they face being thrown out of the location they have come to call home.
The restaurant is just one of many independent businesses tucked away inside Gabriel’s Wharf, a unique outdoor shopping mall and restaurant district on the south bank of the Thames.
It’s a loved destination by many locals and visitors alike but is now facing closure and redevelopment that will leave Fed By Plants without a home.
I reached to Charles today to find out what the latest is with the impending closure:
“Officially shutters will go down on the 28th September, 2026. We are trying to apply pressure on both Lambeth council to act to stop the closure and demolition and on Coin Street to change their mind. None of Coin Street’s arguments make any sense and over twenty businesses will lose their livelihoods. Gabriel’s Wharf is such a unique and highly popular place in south London. Closing it without a firm plan, commercial partner, or planning approval in place is absurd.”
The Coin Street that Charles is referring to is Coin Street Community Builders, a social enterprise and development trust that owns and manages the Gabriel’s Wharf site. They have issued notices for all current tenants to vacate ahead of proposed renovation of the site.
Charles and the other tenants feel as though this notice to vacate has been done hastily, not allowing them time to secure their futures and with no clear plan of how the rejuvenation of the site will take place.
If you would like to join in the fight to help apply pressure on Coin Street to reconsider this decision, please click here to view and sign the petition.
You can also write to your local councillor and MP if you’re a Lambeth resident and write to the Mayor if you’re a London resident.
And of course you can visit Fed By Plants and spend your money with Charles! Dine on his delicious food AND help him keep his dream alive. His fish and ships are top notch and he might be the only person on the planet serving a vegan Sunday roast every day of the week!
Follow Fed By Plants on Instagram.
Extra note: there is a 100% vegan handbag and accesories store on site at Gabriel’s Wharf as well! Get along to Vendula Boutique as well to lend support.
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