Heather's Hove cafe has proved a hit (From The Argus)
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Heather's Hove cafe has proved a hit
5:00pm Sunday 2nd August 2009 in News By Emily-Ann Elliott
Heather Mills at VBites
Heather Mills’ vegan cafe is proving a hit with meat-eating residents.
Thousands of customers have been visiting the meat and dairy-free VBites every week since it opened at Hove Lagoon on July 4.
And it seems the former model’s new venture is changing many people’s attitudes towards vegan food, as between 700 and 1,000 vegan products are sold at the venue every day.
The cafe’s cakes, which are transported around on a travelator similar to that found in sushi bars, are also proving to be a popular treat for those with a sweet tooth. About 1,000 are being sold every week.
Ms Mills said: “I can honestly say we have not slowed down since opening day.
“Watching carnivores arriving hungry, leaving satisfied then coming back with their families has been the best thing for me.
“I think VBites is perfect at Hove Lagoon, an ethical healthy filling station in a hive of fun filled activity.”
On the cafe’s opening day Ms Mills scaled the cafe’s roof to explain to residents that after living in the area for ten years she wanted to do something to revive it.
She now thinks that VBites can rival other establishments in Brighton.
She said: “VBites has received a unanimous thumbs up from the local community.
“I’m so excited at how well things are going.
“People are really pleased that this part of Hove has finally got an eating and drinking venue to rival Brighton.”
The cafe’s website has also been popular, with more than 3,000 hits on VBites’ opening day.
Ms Mills bought the former Big Fish Cafe in March and has had a busy few months ensuring everything would be ready in time for its opening.
She was very involved in designing the cafe and creating its menu and was even spotted rolling up her sleeves to ensure all of the decorating was finished in time.
She also led a vegan cookery masterclass during the Foodies Festival in May, which ran as part of Brighton Festival Fringe.
Comments(51)
jlewes
says...
5:19pm Sun 2 Aug 09
TheInsider
says...
5:44pm Sun 2 Aug 09
Tye
says...
5:47pm Sun 2 Aug 09
jlewes wrote:Good - STARVE until you think killing another animal that supports society even less than you is worth while
I would rather starve than give this woman any money.
I guess the slagging off by the Argus aimed at the majority of Brightonians didn't work - "nice" pauls press/spin dept will not be happy!
Charismatic Andrew
says...
5:51pm Sun 2 Aug 09
stickman
says...
5:56pm Sun 2 Aug 09
Even as a dedicated carnivore I will give it a go.
eldub
says...
6:03pm Sun 2 Aug 09
The park is a family area, it would have been nice if the needs of the local community had been considered when the planning application was submitted instead of awarding it to a millionairess to use as a PR stunt and vanity project.
£7 for a soya cheese sandwich...? No thanks Heather.
misscee
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6:07pm Sun 2 Aug 09
Dave At Home
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6:22pm Sun 2 Aug 09
Jay-kay
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6:25pm Sun 2 Aug 09
Red Hand
says...
6:25pm Sun 2 Aug 09
The place is always empty whenever I venture past on my way to a proper cafe.
Jay-kay
says...
6:28pm Sun 2 Aug 09
PeterP
says...
6:36pm Sun 2 Aug 09
So someone that eats meat is a carnivore right Hopalong?
Humans are, by their physiology OMNIVORES therefore they eat meat AND vegetation.
Anyone that doesn't eat meat is killing themselves slowly. And why do they always look so pale, scrawny and palid? Because they don't eat meat which is what we are supposed to eat.
Stupid woman, horrible souless place and a complete waste of money.
caeos
says...
6:48pm Sun 2 Aug 09
eldub
says...
7:01pm Sun 2 Aug 09
Its not.
A successful business is one which starts from a good idea, requires hard work and eventually turns a profit. Not one founded on the vast proceeds of a questionable divorce settlement. Anyone (and i mean anyone) could do what Ms.Mills has done if they have enough cash behind them. I give it 12-18 months tops before it loses so much money even moneybags Mills can't afford it anymore.
Osama bin there
says...
7:31pm Sun 2 Aug 09
Any independent reviews - Argus?
Otherwise we will have to think this article is a FREE ADVERT!!
Osama bin there
says...
7:36pm Sun 2 Aug 09
Humans are OMNIVORES not carnivores. Look at our teeth if you aren't sure. A combination of carnivore and herbivore.
I ran a vegetarian restaurant 25 years ago. the least healthy people I ever saw there were vegans. they all looked pallid like they had a vitamin deficiency.
PeterP
says...
7:37pm Sun 2 Aug 09
Charismatic Andrew
says...
7:48pm Sun 2 Aug 09
eldub wrote:Look, I'm not one of Heather Mills biggest fans. In fact I can't stand her and no she didn't deserve her massive divorce settlement. But to suggest that you can't call a business successful just because the start up costs were provided by that divorce is absolutely ridiculous.
To the poster who thinks VB is a "successful business". Its not. A successful business is one which starts from a good idea, requires hard work and eventually turns a profit. Not one founded on the vast proceeds of a questionable divorce settlement. Anyone (and i mean anyone) could do what Ms.Mills has done if they have enough cash behind them. I give it 12-18 months tops before it loses so much money even moneybags Mills can't afford it anymore.
The previous cafe on the site was looking really tired and unappealing. If Mills is making a go of the place and providing jobs for local people in the process good luck to her.
longman
says...
7:50pm Sun 2 Aug 09
Donkey OT
says...
7:52pm Sun 2 Aug 09
PeterP wrote:Eating meat is the second biggest cause of cancer after smoking.
"Watching carnivores arriving hungry, leaving satisfied " So someone that eats meat is a carnivore right Hopalong? Humans are, by their physiology OMNIVORES therefore they eat meat AND vegetation. Anyone that doesn't eat meat is killing themselves slowly. And why do they always look so pale, scrawny and palid? Because they don't eat meat which is what we are supposed to eat. Stupid woman, horrible souless place and a complete waste of money.
What is your basis for stating that vegetarians are slowly killing themselves.
Hopalong???
How witty.
ed27
says...
8:30pm Sun 2 Aug 09
security word :
legless-bites
Harry Callahan
says...
8:56pm Sun 2 Aug 09
Donkey OT wrote:No, it's not eating meat per-say that is bad for you, it's all the steroids, growth hormones and other artificial rubbish they put in the meat.
PeterP wrote:Eating meat is the second biggest cause of cancer after smoking.
"Watching carnivores arriving hungry, leaving satisfied " So someone that eats meat is a carnivore right Hopalong? Humans are, by their physiology OMNIVORES therefore they eat meat AND vegetation. Anyone that doesn't eat meat is killing themselves slowly. And why do they always look so pale, scrawny and palid? Because they don't eat meat which is what we are supposed to eat. Stupid woman, horrible souless place and a complete waste of money.
What is your basis for stating that vegetarians are slowly killing themselves.
Hopalong???
How witty.
jlewes
says...
9:07pm Sun 2 Aug 09
Tye wrote:She is a gold digging nasty woman who deserves to fail in all she does
jlewes wrote: I would rather starve than give this woman any money.Good - STARVE until you think killing another animal that supports society even less than you is worth while I guess the slagging off by the Argus aimed at the majority of Brightonians didn't work - "nice" pauls press/spin dept will not be happy!
Donkey OT
says...
9:33pm Sun 2 Aug 09
Please try to think for yourself.
If you have the equipment to do so.
bigduff
says...
9:34pm Sun 2 Aug 09
leedsnowfan
says...
9:37pm Sun 2 Aug 09
hangolia
says...
9:54pm Sun 2 Aug 09
Money is no object to this woman,she could afford to open a chocolate teapot shop.
Donkey OT
says...
9:54pm Sun 2 Aug 09
Osama bin there
says...
10:16pm Sun 2 Aug 09
Donkey OT wrote:Eating meat is NOT the biggest cause of cancer after smoking.
PeterP wrote: "Watching carnivores arriving hungry, leaving satisfied " So someone that eats meat is a carnivore right Hopalong? Humans are, by their physiology OMNIVORES therefore they eat meat AND vegetation. Anyone that doesn't eat meat is killing themselves slowly. And why do they always look so pale, scrawny and palid? Because they don't eat meat which is what we are supposed to eat. Stupid woman, horrible souless place and a complete waste of money.Eating meat is the second biggest cause of cancer after smoking. What is your basis for stating that vegetarians are slowly killing themselves. Hopalong??? How witty.
Bowel cancer is. You are making a huge leap which you cannot possibly substantiate by saying that meat eating causes bowel cancer.
Actually not eating enough vegetables and fibre is the real cause, as well as not taking enough exercise.
Not quite the same, is it?
We are omnivores. We are designed to eat both.
PeterP
says...
11:10pm Sun 2 Aug 09
Do you know how they made up the 'statistic' of meat eating related cancer deaths?
It's a stroke of genius, they simply asked all cancer sufferers if they'd eaten meat. EVER. In their life.
So anyone that eats meat MIGHT get cancer.
They also asked the same question to non meat eating cancer victims. Guess what! They had cancer too!!! WOOOAHHH!
Eat meat, you might get cancer, don't eat meat .....you might get cancer.
PeterP
says...
11:15pm Sun 2 Aug 09
ALL wonderful food.
Take your lentils and your Tofu and shove it up your donkey.
lachrymatory
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11:24pm Sun 2 Aug 09
dodgy
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11:27pm Sun 2 Aug 09
But quite frankly that woman scares the sh*t out of me!
greeg
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11:44pm Sun 2 Aug 09
stan bailey
says...
7:09am Mon 3 Aug 09
Osama bin there wrote:Sadly his first wife Linda who seemed to be a very nice lady and an avid veggie died very young of cancer
Donkey OT wrote:Eating meat is NOT the biggest cause of cancer after smoking.
PeterP wrote: "Watching carnivores arriving hungry, leaving satisfied " So someone that eats meat is a carnivore right Hopalong? Humans are, by their physiology OMNIVORES therefore they eat meat AND vegetation. Anyone that doesn't eat meat is killing themselves slowly. And why do they always look so pale, scrawny and palid? Because they don't eat meat which is what we are supposed to eat. Stupid woman, horrible souless place and a complete waste of money.Eating meat is the second biggest cause of cancer after smoking. What is your basis for stating that vegetarians are slowly killing themselves. Hopalong??? How witty.
Bowel cancer is. You are making a huge leap which you cannot possibly substantiate by saying that meat eating causes bowel cancer.
Actually not eating enough vegetables and fibre is the real cause, as well as not taking enough exercise.
Not quite the same, is it?
We are omnivores. We are designed to eat both.
Masterchav
says...
8:30am Mon 3 Aug 09
How long has the Argus got left if this is the quality of its journalism?
Masterchav
says...
8:36am Mon 3 Aug 09
Mary Hinge
says...
8:39am Mon 3 Aug 09
http://www.brighton-
eating.com/36233.htm
The only review currently there looks er... "extremely favourable"
quedula
says...
8:44am Mon 3 Aug 09
puddingandpi
says...
8:50am Mon 3 Aug 09
The point of VBites is not that it's vegan, just that it's nice, good food. It just so happens that it's animal-free.
Hotchilidog
says...
11:51am Mon 3 Aug 09
Most people there seemed to be enjoying themselves and the restaurant itself was full.
I think Heather has pitched it just right keeping the food simple, burgers, bolognese, curry etc and not tried to be too fancy or preachy with it.
I think it will continue to be success.
Scorpion
says...
12:49pm Mon 3 Aug 09
I guess whatever Ms Mills has done in the past, she still has to earn a crust in the present and in some small way is reducing B&H's unemployment levels.
As for divorces... well I dare say I could **** on about mine and how the ex had more than she deserved but whats the point after all. Its history. The deed was done.
That said, this does look a bit like free ad. Lets see how its performing a year from now. The proof of a pudding (vegan or otherwise) is in the eating.
PeterP
says...
12:56pm Mon 3 Aug 09
FAKE burgers, FAKE bolognese etc etc.
Then again, what would one expect from a fake herself.
"I guess whatever Ms Mills has done in the past, she still has to earn a crust "
Yeah true. I guess £50 odd MILLION isn't quite enough for the gold digging woman.
Donkey OT
says...
6:07pm Mon 3 Aug 09
I thought vegetables were real.
Then again you might be the cleverest person in the world.
She divorced an ex junkie who sang and wrote some songs and made disgusting amount of money from it.
I'm glad he had to share it.He has far too much.
Turing Test
says...
7:16pm Mon 3 Aug 09
misscee wrote:I was there this lunchtime and it was neither over-priced nor unfriendly. 2 x main courses, side dish, ice-cream, 2 x soft drinks and 2 x tea =£22. Whoever said £7 for a cheese sandwich was lying. It seemed to be doing a good business and the staff were nice.
Its over-priced and unfriendly there. Me and my friend popped in there and really disliked its cold atmosphere. We won't be back!
Why do so many miserable souls on this website have to moan about everything? It's just pathetic.
Turing Test
says...
7:23pm Mon 3 Aug 09
cantmoveforbins
says...
10:49pm Mon 3 Aug 09
Tye wrote:Congratulations on another incomprehendable post.
jlewes wrote:Good - STARVE until you think killing another animal that supports society even less than you is worth while
I would rather starve than give this woman any money.
I guess the slagging off by the Argus aimed at the majority of Brightonians didn't work - "nice" pauls press/spin dept will not be happy!
Regarding the article etc., I give it 6 months - in fact I bet it won't even hit break even.
thensx
says...
10:24am Tue 4 Aug 09
Andre Spooner
says...
11:45am Tue 4 Aug 09
I would never eat my horse. My horse would never eat meat. I am strong and powerful. But not as strong as my horse! And guess what? He has the same teeth as me!
I think you should have to abandon your "Caps Lock" key for a week. I bet that would hurt more than giving up sausages.
bug eye
says...
6:16pm Fri 7 Aug 09
stan bailey says...
5:04pm Sun 2 Aug 09