Purezza set for global expansion following investment

MVK Group and Veg Capital were among multiple investors in the funding drive, which also included investors based in the Middle East, USA, Europe and Asia.

Purezza, which currently has four UK sites, serves a fully vegan menu of sourdough pizzas made with plant-based mozzarella that’s produced in-house.

Signature pizzas include ‘Parmigiana Party’ topped with smoked mozzarella, aubergine parmigiana, crumbled vegan sausage; and a dusting of nutritional yeast; and an ‘nduja’ one with mozzarella, green chillies, roasted aubergines, baby sweetcorn, red peppers, sriracha sauce and chilli flakes.

Vegan investment firm Veg Capital has invested directly into the retail expansion for Purezza’s plant-based mozzarella, which will see a brand new 8,000sq ft retail space opening in Brighton & Hove.

"We are delighted to be working with the team at Veg Capital to bring Purezza to the retail space," says Tim Barclay, co-founder and co-owner of Purezza.

"This is an opportunity to enjoy the Purezza experience from home.

"Our plant-based mozzarella is designed to rival premium Italian buffalo mozzarella, giving the same quality and flavour that people expect from a classic food, but with modern and sustainable methods of production.

"We can’t wait for people to be able to cook with it themselves.”

Purezza opened its debut site in Brighton in November 2015, which it claims to be the first vegan pizzeria in the UK.

It went on to open its first London site in Camden in 2018; and this year, despite the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, has expanded to Bristol as well as establishing a second Brighton location.

The group is yet to detail its plans for global expansion and where the next restaurants will open, but says the funding will ensure Purezza can continue expanding rapidly throughout 2021.