Ipswich is establishing itself as a town that welcomes vegans and caters for them in all sorts of interesting ways
The latest vegan venture is the entirely vegan Hanks Pub that opened in January 2020 on St Helen's Street, just off the town centre.
It's the brainchild of Geoff Bligh and Philip Rivers, who started their vegan enterprise Peninsula Foods in March 2019, and opened Hank's Deli on Lloyds Avenue in the town centre four months later.
Since opening, Hank's has proved extremely popular during the day, leading Geoff and Philip to start Friday evening pop-ups to meet demand.
Their decision to open a pub will provide a much needed vegan evening dining and drinking option.
Geoff and Philip say they'll be offering delicious pub food, including Sunday roasts. Pub goers can expect burgers and chicken replacements balanced with healthier vegan dishes, such as curries.
When it comes to drinks they say they're working on some very exciting relationships with completely vegan brewers and wine suppliers. A range of soft drinks will complement the beers, ciders, wines and spirits, including Suffolk-made LA Brewery kombucha.
They hope the pub will help to revitalise a part of Ipswich which is close to the University of Suffolk and Suffolk New College with a repeat of the excellent response to the deli.
Their customers are a mix of vegan and non-vegan customers, and people with allergies, including parents of children unable to eat dairy or eggs.
