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When The Mango Tree in Taunton, Somerset, reopens under a new name and with an evolving menu next month, it will break from its ethos of only serving plant-based foods. Although some have criticised the restaurant over the change, it claims that the decision to serve meat dishes for the first time was necessary for it to remain open, reports Somerset Live.
A Mango Tree spokesperson said: “The only other option was to close permanently.
“Ethics extend to the jobs and welfare of our wonderful team, to whom we owe a great deal, and another chance.”
“Hospitality is increasingly tough and continuing as a purely vegan restaurant has not been sustainable for a considerable amount of time as there are simply not enough customers supporting us in our current format.”
Announcing the refurbishment, restaurant manager Erik Muzic said: “We are looking forward to being able to continue serving the Taunton community with fresh and exciting dishes, alongside a brand new restaurant vibe.
“We love being part of the busy Taunton Independent Quarter and are delighted that we’re staying in the same location with the same restaurant team.
“We can’t wait to open our doors again and show customers what we have been planning.”
Some customers have been left unhappy by the revelation that the restaurant will no longer be exclusively vegan.
One diner said the restaurant was now likely to lose “a lot of their original vegan clientele” while another mused that they were “so disappointed” having heard the news.
People flocked to Somerset Live’s Facebook page to comment on the change, with one person writing: “All the vegans that are complaining should maybe have supported the restaurant more and perhaps they wouldn’t have had to come to this decision.
“I personally applaud them for extending their moral ethics to continue to try to keep staff jobs safe.”
Another person said: “Good business sense. Meat eaters will be looking forward to a varied and delicious menu.
“No doubt vegetarians will stay away, but then they didn’t give the place enough business anyway. That’s why this move.”
A third person simply added: “Very smart move.”
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