In the centre of Leicester, between the High Street and the ancient market (800 years old and counting), there's a quirky set of narrow streets with tiny shops and arcades spanning several centuries, known now as the Lanes.
Here you might find all manner of interesting independent shops from swish interior designers to specialist tattoo parlours. There are many cafes, many with pleasant seating outside, and all manner of pubs from the match-day crowded O'Neill's to the Globe, synonymous with serving fine ales and food since 1720.
Yesterday was one of those late September days, mild and with rain, sometimes a heavy deluge, sometimes a light smattering that would wet you through if you were foolish enough to think it was too light to need a coat.
I'd wandered into the town from the University, a soggy walk through Castle Gardens, across the Old Soar, skirting the dual carriage-way carrying traffic from the motorway direct to Highcross and John Lewis. I passed through the Lanes on my way to the bus station and almost fell over the sandwich board outside Currant Affairs, Leicester's first 100% vegan shop and takeaway.
A damp September day in Leicester but still people have not quite given up on the summer. Currant Affairs in Loseby Lane, running from the High Street.
Currant Affairs is housed in the tiniest shop. It cannot be more than twelve feet across, possibly less, painted a bright golden-yellow and sandwiched between two much more substantial buildings. Three floors and I would guess a front and back room on each and not much else.
The tiniest shop front with its bright colours and tempting takeaway display.
I often dip in here for a freshly made vegetable samosa or vegan lemon cake. It's always hard to choose from the tasty morsels on display. Sometimes, I end up with four or five paper-bag wrapped goodies to take away.
Currant Affairs has been here since at least the mid-eighties. In that heady era, there were whole-food cafes and independent bookshops (sometimes combined) wherever you looked. Many have gone now, victim to changing economics from rising rents to re-structuring of industries, but Currant Affairs lives on. Its success is due to its sheer convenience, located in the city centre, just off the High street and easily accessible when you are in the town.
Stairway to heaven, where the snacks and cakes are made. The shop has a beautiful smell, not baking exactly, but a faint aroma of something delicious.
The staff are unfailingly friendly, always a welcome and a chat, there's often a conversation going on at the counter, with huddles of people moving this way and that as cross-traffic moves back and forth up and down the tiny shop.
The shop is stocked extensively and I guess the top floor must be the store room as so little of any item can be on display at any one time. Running up and down those stairs must be an additional health benefit of working here.
Exotic sauces and flavourings, tinned and dried goods, toiletries.
Teas and drinks (I was pleased to find oat milk here), snacks of all kinds.
Jams and spreads, dried fruit and nuts, flours and baking aids.
There's no need to feel deprived, there's all the usual stuff ...
Chocolate
Vegan baking and cooking substitutes
Burgers and ice-cream
There's a bank of freezers, too, full of vegetarian and vegan foods and substitutes. I had been looking for some vegan cheese, I chose Sheese 100% dairy-free Greek style cheese. I'm guessing it's like feta? We'll see.
Some of the range of vegan cheese available, including Sheese and Cheesly.
Jackfruit seems to be the rage these days. You can get it in plain chunks, confit, barbeque etc. I've not tried these but I have had a jackfruit burger and skin-on chips in a pub near work. Tasty! I wonder what the mock duck is like?
Source You can find out more about Currant Affairs at My Vegan Town.
Currant Affairs
9A Loseby Lane, Leicester, LE1 5DR, GB | Tel: 0116 251 0887
Email: currantaffairs@gmail.com
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm
Rating: Excellent
Source Currant Affairs is a short walk from the rail and bus stations.
