Alcohol-free vegan restaurant launches crowdfund for global expansion

Vegan, gluten-free, alcohol-free bar and restaurant Redemption Bar is launching a crowdfunding campaign in a bid to finance its ambitious growth plans.

The business, established in 2015 by former Virgin brand director Catherine Salway and vegan restaurateur and chef Andrea Waters, aims to raise £300,000 through Crowdcube to fund the opening of two new London sites.

At present the campaign has raised £41,110 from five investors, with 28 days left until deadline.  

Redemption Bar operates two sites in Shoreditch and Notting Hill, and aims to open two further sites in Covent Garden and Southbank Place. Once its UK base is established, the brand plans to expand internationally through franchising.

Redemption has a reputation for offering a dining experience that is healthy whilst still feeling indulgent. Its owners say they “strive to provide an environment where you can't make a bad decision for yourself or the planet.”

Menu items include the likes of sweetcorn and red pepper pancakes; probiotic booster bowl; and pulled barbecued jackfruit with ‘superslaw’. The restaurants also offer smoothies and mocktails, such as the pious pina colada and the activated charcoal martini.

"We are on the cusp of a really exciting growth plan - as well as launching two new sites in central London we are very optimistic about ethical franchising across the globe,” says Salway.

“The brilliant thing about crowdfunding is that the customers who've made us successful can get involved in this next stage."