Southport’s Plant-Based Brand Wild Root Continues to Grow Following Acquisition

Wild Root, a pioneering plant-based brand based in Southport, dedicated to offering high-quality, sustainable plant-based food products, has announced significant growth plans that are set to bring jobs and innovation to the region.

Founded by CEO Charlie Tomlinson in 2021, Wild Root’s café has already become one of the Northwest’s go-to places for plant-eaters and the health-conscious community.

With over 2.5million people in the UK now classifying themselves as vegan – an increase of 1.1million from January 2023 to January 2024 – Wild Root is focused on delivering a premium service for those seeking a plant-based diet. It has completed a strategic acquisition to give Wild Root a wider customer base across the region.

Wild Root has acquired 85% of The Fermentation Station (TFS) – following part of its planned refurbishment and expansion, will see Wild Root Café in Southport house The Fermentation Station and stock over 30 fermented products.

With a new manager, Lucie Brisland recently appointed at Wild Root Café, Wild Root is committed to providing the best vegan food at its restaurants. Determined to bring plant-based eating back to plants, founder Charlie Tomlinson is focused on avoiding any ultra-processed meat or dairy substitutes and instead putting vegetables in the centre of each plate.

Trained by Bettina Campolucci Bordi, CEO and founder Charlie Tomlinson –  who has just been offered a guest lecturing spot with Southport Catering College,  is a highly skilled chef driven to bring plant-based eating back to plants by putting vegetables in the centre of each plate.

Charlie Tomlinson, founder and CEO at Wild Root said; “The acquisition of The Fermentation Station is massively exciting for us. Its range of products are packed with good bacteria and never pasteurised; so exceptionally beneficial for gut health which is something we are passionate about at Wild Root.

“We want people to eat more plants and feel good whilst doing it – all the food we make not only tastes good but makes you feel great too. This is exactly what The Fermentation Station’s products do – so we are a perfect match.”

Wild Root’s growth trajectory is to scale up to 25 Wild Root cafes across the UK by 2030. The company is also set to establish a whole foods store, shaping it as a cooperative business and a community project to bolster the purchasing capabilities of Wild Root and The Fermentation Station.