Derby teen wants to open city centre vegan stall - but there are objections

A teenager hopes to start a new vegan food stall in Derby city centre in an effort to boost choice and tidy up the area.

Nineteen-year-old Qasim Khan attended a Derby City Council licensing meeting last week to make his case for a street trading license for a new Vegan Express stall.

The youngster wants to add variety to Derby city centre’s food offer and offered the council several locations where he would like to set up if approved.

But the council has raised objections to all the locations and so has a nearby restaurant.

Mr Khan said he would like the stall to be set up at either St Peter’s Churchyard - near to the corner opposite Costa - or one of two spots at St Peter’s Street - one near the Natwest bank and the other at the bottom end facing Victoria Street.

The opening hours would be 8am to 4pm every day except for Thursdays.

It would sell vegan burgers, vegan rice, chickpeas and other vegan options, as well as cold soft drinks.

The teenager’s efforts have received support from a Derby public protection officer who told the council prior to the hearing that the business would help tackle anti-social behaviour problems at St Peter’s Street.

Zahid Javed said: “From a perspective of a public protection officer who is boots on the ground patrolling St Peter’s Street, a spot like that would be so beneficial to the city centre for street traders like Vegan Express to take. It will make people invest more into the city and really brighten up the main strip of the city centre with street food culture.

“That place near the church (St Peter’s Church) needs something like this to make undesirables begging and loitering there (move on) - it will significantly reduce ASB.  It will be the first vegan option food shack in the city centre, which shows Derby is a place of opportunity.”

Speaking on behalf of Mr Khan, his father Muhammad told the hearing that the aim of the business was to give Derby people a different food offer.

He said: “He (Qasim) is 19-years-old and is finishing college soon. He wants to start his own business. This will encourage other young people (to do the same) when they see him working there.”

Mr Khan said Vegan Express’ food offering is “totally different” to nearby restaurants and cafes, so there would be no competition clash.

He added: “We don’t want to create any obstruction to any businesses.“

However, before the hearing representations were received by Derby Live - the events and entertainment arm of Derby City Council - which raised objections to the locations requested for a pitch.

Richard Wheeldon, from Derby Live, issued the following statement: “8 St Peter’s Churchyard is directly opposite existing cafes and next to a promotion/performance site - this will cause obstruction for access to this site. There is no power available at this location.

“10 St Peter’s Street - this site is directly opposite a pedestrian crossing and also in front of a property that is up for lease. There is no access to power at this location.

“21 St Peter’s Street is a promotion site that already has bookings on it for this year. There is no access to power on this site.”

Another objection was raised on the grounds of public safety by a representative of fast food restaurant Boo on nearby Victoria Street.

Mohammed Suleman said: “We have an outside seating area which could cause congestion - there is also the access needed for emergency services to our business and surrounding stores. It’s also worth noting the impact this will have on the visual aspect of our store and the effect on trade. We’ve invested heavily in a part of Derby City Centre which desperately needs modern day stores such as Boo. Our expectation is this will encourage other similar businesses to commit to filling up empty units. I don’t see how a street vendor can help redevelop this part of the city.”

Councillors chairing the hearing will make a decision on the plans.