The Vurger Co hosts Spitalfields Market pop-up ahead of permanent site launch

Plant-based burger brand The Vurger Co has a pop-up stand at Spitalfields Market, ahead of opening up in a permanent shop of its own in the New Year.

The team, including founders Rachel Hugh and Neil Potts, are serving vegan burgers, chips and shakes outside sports wear shop Lululemon between 10am and 7pm Monday to Friday.

Neil would not reveal where their new location might be, so as not to jinx signing the contract – but said it could potentially be very close by.

Five months ago the couple raised £300,000 in a crowdfunding campaign to launch it – coming in at 66 per cent above target - and apparently the fastest ever restaurant raise for Crowdcube.

They came up with the popular idea last year after getting into vegan fare after suffering persistent health issues.

Rachel told the Gazette: “We came back from a holiday in America where we had been eating this amazing vegan food, and thought, “Where can we go to eat this really gorgeous food in a really cool environment and not feel we have to go to the back of beyond?”

“Bear in mind this was a year and a half ago,” she added.

“At that point we realised we couldn’t actually go anywhere for a vegan burger which wasn’t that weird processed junk.

“We thought there’s a huge opportunity here, because we love eating burgers - it’s our go to food on a Friday night.”

They decided to “keep it really simple” to “highlight the really amazing vegetables there are, and bring them to the forefront of the menu”.

“Up until now they have been the side dish or something at the bottom of the menu,” she said.

Choices include a classic with black beans, smoked paprika, chargrilled red peppers and corn. The cleverly named auburger is dished up with Tabasco, chipotle smoked aubergines, chickpeas and caramelised red onions.

A Mexican is spiced up with jalapeno peppers, a bean patty and lashings of hot salsa and a seasonal parsnip variety comes with Christmas nut stuffing.

thevurgerco.com.