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Restaurant The Plant Base is given temporary home in Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells, after Storm Eunice saw chimney crash through roof

15:10, 17 March 2022

updated: 15:28, 17 March 2022

A vegan restaurant has been offered a new home after Storm Eunice caused a large chimney stack to collapse onto its kitchen roof.

The Plant Base, in Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells, was left without power or access, an exposed roof and water leaking into the premises.

Owner Geff Stone and his partner in the temporary unit of The Plant Base in Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells
Owner Geff Stone and his partner in the temporary unit of The Plant Base in Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells

Owner Geff Stone and his team were devastated and out of pocket from the aftermath of storms Eunice and Franklin.

At the beginning of March, Geff started a crowdfunding page hoping to raise £5,000 to fix the damage and stay afloat.

The restaurant received an outpouring of support from neighbouring Tunbridge Wells businesses and residents, who have rallied together to keep the restaurant alive.

They have successfully raised more than £5,000 and now have been offered a temporary unit by Royal Victoria Place within the centre.

Geff said: “We are extremely grateful for the support of Royal Victoria Place and to everyone who has given us words of encouragement or donations during this difficult time.”

The collapsed chimney which forced The Plant Base to close
The collapsed chimney which forced The Plant Base to close
Damage inside The Plant Base restaurant following the aftermath of Storm Eunice
Damage inside The Plant Base restaurant following the aftermath of Storm Eunice

“As the only 100% plant-based restaurant for miles around, our customers travel from far and wide to eat with us and we’re thrilled to be able to continue serving all the wonderful people of Tunbridge Wells over the next few weeks from our pop-up unit.”

The Plant Base's temporary unit will be open until April 14 and is located next to the entrance to Ely Court on the Lower Mall, which was home to the pop-up Tunbridge Wells Toy Library last summer.

Since opening to the public in 2017, the restaurant has evolved its menu to serve an extensive range of vegan options, from wraps and buddha bowls, to cakes and smoothies.

They also offer organic wine, bubbles and alcohol-free beverages.

Nicky Blanchard, centre manager at Royal Victoria Place, said: “We’re happy to help The Plant Base after its devastation from the storms and are pleased to welcome the team to Royal Victoria Place.

Geff Stone has been running The Plant Base since 2017
Geff Stone has been running The Plant Base since 2017
Royal Victoria Place have offered the restaurant a temporary pop-up shop in the centre. Picture: RVP/ David Dettmann
Royal Victoria Place have offered the restaurant a temporary pop-up shop in the centre. Picture: RVP/ David Dettmann

“Local residents and visitors to the centre can enjoy the tasty selection of plant-based menu items as part of a day of shopping or afternoon pick me up.”

The Plant Base is open five days a week at Royal Victoria Place from 10am-to-4pm Tuesday to Saturday.

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