As more and more people turn to veganism, cafes across south Essex are changing to cater for the new movement.

Over the past few years, veganism has seen a huge rise in popularity, as people look to the plant-based diet as a healthy alternative, or seek to promote animal rights.

Many cafes and restaurants are now responding to this, featuring vegan menus and alternatives.

Owners say that this has proved very popular among both vegans and those fancying something a bit different.

Michael Anderson, 25, from Billericay, who became a vegan 2016, is a barista at Candy Bar Espresso at Summerhill Garden Centre, said that after visiting vegan cafes across the UK and Europe, he saw how easy it was to offer vegan options that are still great quality.

He said: “Many people that come through the door tell us that they are ‘dairy-free’, so they love that we have plenty of milk alternatives available.

“Some days we do almost as many vegan drinks as we do with cow’s milk.

“We have so many people tell us how they hadn’t realised plant based options were so readily available in Basildon.

“Through daily interactions and conversations we are learning how to better what we do, and if that means that our customers opt for more ‘ethical’ options then that’s fantastic for them, for our local vegan suppliers, the local movement and above all, the welfare of animals.”

Another business which feels it is creating a larger community through veganism is the Conscious Kitchen in Sutton Road, Southend.

Its owner, Claire Brooks, a former nutritionist, hopes that the business can educate more people about the positive affects of plant based diets.

She said: “I think a movement has definitely started in younger people due to their access to the internet and more information.

“However, the issue is that it’s hard to find a healthy vegan, many just do it for the animals and they’re not using the diet in a way that is nutritious and good them.”

The kitchen opens up for group workshops and classes where its chefs teach people from 16 to 75 about how they can eat well as a vegan.

Claire added: “You would not think that people at the age of 75 would be willing to make the change, but they come in and they see we are creating our own small community through this cafe.”

Like the Conscious Kitchen, Candy Bar Espresso is trying to creating its own community through how they run the business.

The business encourages its customers to be aware of the environment at all times when they buy a coffee.

The cafe’s coffee beans are locally roasted, they offer reusable cups at the counter for customers to buy and their vegan cakes are baked by The Cake Bar in Broadway West, Leigh.

Michael said: “With individuals and companies across the globe bringing carbon neutral and vegan products to the fore, the identity of the vegan community has evolved over the past ten years.

“It’s no longer just ‘punks’ or ‘hippies’ that are leading a marginal ‘fad’.”