Anger as Offbeet Food forced to close over vegan donut-feud

Offbeet is a vegan restaurant based at Sunnyfields Farm Shop in Jacob's Gutter Lane in Totton.

The independent businesses has been based at the farm for more than three years and usually serves breakfast and lunch as well as a range of treats and cakes.

But now Peter Axworthy, owner of the restaurant, is being forced to look for a new venue for his business due to the sale of donuts.

Peter, from Romsey, has been told by Barker-Mill Estate - the company which own the land - that he must leave because the sale of donuts gives the "wrong image" for Sunnyfields Farm.

Peter Axworthy.

Peter only began selling donuts during January in a bid to help his small business cope during lockdown. The restaurant began opening between 12 and 3pm on Saturday and Sunday and served take-out food such as bagels and vegan quiches.

The restaurant began making donuts as a sweet treat to sell.

"We started with 13 donuts and within a hour they were sold out," said Peter.

"We thought this could be some we could carry on with during lockdown.

"We had queues of 40 plus people waiting to come in a buy donuts, some would arrive an hour before we opened for the donuts, we started making more and people would wait for them."

All of the donuts are handmade at Offbeet and are vegan. They also offer a selection gluten free and dairy free donuts.

Last week, Sunnyfields Farm - who sub-let the land to Offbeet Food - contacted the restaurant following a discussion with land owners Barker-Mill Estate.

Barker-Mill Estate is reported to have said that donuts a "high in sugar and are linked to obesity". A few days after this, Barker-Mill Estate requested that Offbeet Food left the farm.

Peter said: "I put an email together to go to Barker-Mill Estate to explain that these are luxury treats and that we sell plenty of other items that are high in sugar.

"A day later I had a response discrediting what I said, and they wanted a full sugar-breakdown analysis of each donut we sell.

"I was lost for words.

"I shut my restaurant, to have a bit of respect and let things settle down.

"After that, the owners said we want you off the farm."

Peter has said that closing his restaurant will lose him and his businesses tens of thousands of pounds, as well as having a profound affect on both him and his eight staff.

Peter added: "I think it's more of a personal thing, this is not acceptable behaviour.

Offbeet Food started selling donuts in January.

"They're targeting small, independent businesses and they weren't even willing to have on open discussion about it, it's been done brutally.

"It's almost like bullying."

Offbeet Food has around six months to leave the premises and is currently searching for a new venue.

A representative from Longdown Management Limited said: “We are constantly reviewing the occupiers across our premises to ensure they are aligned with our values. Whilst we recognise the doughnuts Offbeet sells are a luxury treat, the way they have been marketed in recent weeks goes against our core values around health and wellbeing.

“Offbeet have been asked to vacate the premises and have been given six months’ notice to enable them to relocate to suitable alternative premises.”