Vegan pasta concept Pastan is scheduled to open its first branch in central Manchester by the end of this month – on the Cross Street site of vegan restaurant Vertigo, which closed down in March.

Pastan began life as a lockdown delivery project from Dean Fawcett and Jerome Ibanez, formerly operations director at Bristol-based healthy fast-food chain Friska. The duo then ran a successful trio of pop-ups last year in London’s Neal’s Yard, Bristol and Notting Hill before opening its first bricks-and-mortar site on the edge of the City of London in the Barbican.

A further two branches are being prepared for opening by the end of the year – on the former Friska premises in Princes Street, Bristol, and ex-Erpington House site in Duke Street, Brighton. Pastan is also launching a brand of sauces for sale across the country.