Plant-based café opens in Brewery Square, Dorchester

Sprout is a plant-based café based in C-Side which serves fresh and seasonal produce from a menu that changes daily.

Owner Lucy Newnham has always wanted to open her own café.

The 24-year-old said: “It’s always been something I have been really interested in, especially since going vegan.

“The name Sprout is like you’ve planted a seed, and you don’t know what it’s going to grow into.”

The idea for the new business venture is that people can go into C-Side and sister business Vinyl Van for a browse, grab some lunch or a coffee and enjoy themselves.

Lucy said: “We have got tables that people can sit at and listen to music and it’s just a lovely place to hang out. We really want to encourage people to spend more time here.”

All produce from the café is sourced from local regenerative food company The Edible Acre, which is based in Crossways.

All the food on offer is vegan, however Sprout offers dairy milk for people who fancy a tea or coffee.

Lucy Newnham at Sprout (Image: Hollie Carr)

Daily specials include a nourish bowl and a bliss bowl, as well as a great selection of bagels which features some reoccurring favourites.

There is also a tasty selection of cakes and bakes and gluten free options available.

Lucy explained that the business is ‘going really well and had some really good feedback so far.’

She said that following the expansion of Vinyl Van, owner Helen Moody approached her as she wanted to offer food at the independent shop.

Lucy has previous hospitality experience having worked in Vibes café in Brewery Square which offered a range of vegan and vegetarian foods.

Helen was a customer at Vibes and ‘they got chatting’ about the exciting new venture.

C-Side and Vinyl Van host a Joy of The Decks Evening, on Thursdays from 7.30pm during which guests can bring three vinyl records along and take over the decks.

Vinyl Van/ C-Side (Image: Hollie Carr)

There is a bar available during the event and future plans will hopefully see Lucy serving her delicious food as well.

To find out more about Sprout, visit the Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553205891964.