A NEW health food shop selling products from vegan scrambled eggs to foraged seaweed sauce has opened its doors.

Health Rebels launched last Saturday in Hove’s Western Road. Owner Lou Scicluna and shop assistant Sacha Eastman have helped turn what was once an internet cafe into a local and organic food store.

The emphasis, Lou said, is on regional produce and “food as a form of medicine”.

She said: “We stock loads of local products – honey, jams, cheeses, organic fruit and vegetables.

“There’s local kimchi, sauerkraut and even bonfire sauce made with elderberries, nettles and seaweed by a Sussex forager called the Hedgewitch.”

Piled high by the door, there are crates of local chestnut mushrooms, spring onions and spinach.

Most of the customers are from the area too.

Lou said: “We’ve got a really nice community vibe here and loads of resident just pop in.”

The shop stands out in Western Road. Lou said: “It’s nice because it’s not another barbers or a vape shop.”

But she has lived in Brighton 20 years, and knows the perils of setting up an independent shop here.

She is optimistic though. “We just need our customers to support us”, she said.