A VEGAN chain is opening a new restaurant.

Erpingham House, renowned for its “Insta-friendly” interiors created for taking selfies, has announced it is launching a new branch in Duke Street, Brighton.

It comes two years after bosses opened a branch in Norwich, Erpingham House, the largest vegan restaurant in the country.

Loui Blake, managing director of Erpingham House, said: “Five years ago, I was working in the city in a fast-paced marketing role, always on the go, when I suffered what many people in a similar situation do – burn out.

“It was then that I decided to adopt a plant-based diet and travel the world before bringing the foods and drinks I fell in love with to my home city.

“Since opening in early 2018, the response has been phenomenal, which is why we feel there is an appetite to take it further and look to pastures new.”

The first site, in the centre of Norwich, gained national attention in its first year, being recognised by The Times as one of the UK’s top 20 vegetarian restaurants and featured on Channel 4’s What Britain Bought.

More recently, the restaurant has been nominated by VegFest as vegan restaurant of the year for the second year running, a testament to its growing popularity and subsequent demand for more locations.

Brighton has more places to dine per 100,000 people than in any other city in the UK.

The company successfully raised £250,000 crowdfunding to raise 15 per cent of the overall cost of the new restaurant in the city.

Spread over three floors and housing a cafe, restaurant, bar, roof terrace and delivery service, Erpingham House Brighton will be 100 per cent plant-based, free from single-use plastic and certified carbon-free dining.

Its mission is to normalise a plant-based lifestyle. The Brighton branch will see “a modernisation of the brand and food” with expert consultants from Los Angeles working on the menu.

Backers include Brighton native and professional footballer Russell Martin and current Brighton U23 coach and former player Andrew Crofts.

“We’re incredibly excited to open in Brighton and contribute something new to an already flourishing hospitality scene,” said Mr Blake.

“Plant-based dining is a rapidly emerging trend, and we want to support more people in their quest to eat more sustainably, without sacrificing flavour or experience.

“Brighton is at the forefront of the plant-based food scene in the UK and so it made total sense to open here, in order for us to push the boundaries and innovate to drive the space forward.

“It’s important to us that we carry Erpingham House’s mission forward, but do so in a way that’s specific to Brighton and the local area.

“We are excited to be opening in such a welcoming and culturally diverse place and will feel right at home in the heart of the city.”

“We want to be a helping hand for people who may have not been willing to try a plant-based diet in the past.”

Erpingham House specialises in vegan food from lattes and smoothies, to “build your own buddha bowls”.

It will open in Duke Street on March 14.