A popular vegan dining spot is changing ownership.

Dom Sherriff established the Bonsai Plant Kitchen brand in Brighton six years ago, but after his child was born in November, he decided it was time to pass the business on.

He has transferred the Japanese-themed venue to Brighton-born Zack Stubbs, who possesses considerable experience in the hospitality sector and previously teamed up with Mr Sherriff at Food for Friends.

Mr Stubbs holds a passion for plant-based cooking and is keen to build upon what Bonsai has already accomplished. Running his own establishment has been a lifelong dream, he noted.

The 29-year-old began working in hospitality when he was 16 and fell in love with it straight away, he remarked. Managing a restaurant has always been his ambition.

Mr Stubbs said he does not intend to make significant changes to how things are run. The existing owners did a fantastic job setting it up, he noted. He really wants to keep the brand exactly as it is. Their head chef Ryan is brilliant and he is going to let him have full creative control in the kitchen.

Mr Sherriff, who has 16 years of cooking experience, originally opened Bonsai as a temporary venture before transforming the Baker Street site into its current incarnation. The four-year-old venue has attracted a loyal customer base.

The 31-year-old said he felt both sad and happy about his decision and wanted to leave on a positive note. Because he is doing this at the right moment and handing it to someone he trusts, it feels like the correct choice, he stated. Sad and sweet at the same time, yet thrilling.

He added that the business started six to seven years ago during the pandemic. They opened as a pop-up in a disused cafe serving bao buns. They moved to Presuming Ed’s, stayed another year, then found this premises and completely rebuilt it from the ground up. This kind of project needs constant attention and huge energy. The company is doing nicely. He has known Zack for several years and he is youthful and full of drive. He can commit himself to growing this further.

Mr Sherriff is now considering his next steps and looking into arranging retreats in Spain with his partner. He wants to thank every customer and team member for their support, he stated, because of their ongoing loyalty over the years.

To mark the handover, Mr Stubbs will be introducing promotions and giveaways.