Rise in veganism inspires Wrexham's first vegan-friendly restaurant

As more and more people choose to go meat and dairy-free it's inspired one woman to open Wrexham's first vegan-friendly restaurant.

Fern Evans' restaurant Up on the Roof is a new arrival in Wrexham town centre after the increasing popularity of veganism inspired her to take the plunge and open an eatery.

A recent survey by Kantar Worldpanel claimed that fewer and fewer family meals contained meat and in the 12 weeks to the end of January 29% of them contained no meat or fish at all.

The meat substitute company Quorn reported that its global sales had risen by 16% last year.

As a young businesswoman she sensed the time was right.

"I felt that there was not a good variety of vegan eateries, certainly not in this area and I can't imagine what it must be like to go into a restaurant if you are vegan and be told you have to have this dish or this salad.

I think more people are beginning to understand it more and even if people still eat meat or are vegetarian people do seem to be making better choices about what they are eating.

There are people out there with very strong opinions on the issue but the vegansI have met are generally happy and just trying to change their lifestyle and help the planet.

It is misunderstood and the trouble I have had in starting a vegan cafe in a small town where it is quite hard to be just a vegan cafe and people wonder what they will eat if they come.

But when they do come and see the menu they see there is they realise there is a lot they can have and just because it doesn't have meat they won't enjoy it."

As for the future she believes that as people begin to think more about their diets and learn more about the subject more people will make that life choice.

Ian lang has been looking at why more of us no longer think meat is a necessary part of a meal.