Milton Park’s first plant-based cafe opens at Signal Yard

Planted Plates, founded by Didcot entrepreneur Henna Afzal, began as a food truck at the park’s street food pop-up event, Milton Feast, in 2021.

After five years of steady growth, the business has moved from its first bricks-and-mortar site on Eastern Avenue to a larger unit at Signal Yard, marking a return to its roots within the Milton Park community.

Ms Afzal said: “When I started Planted Plates, I simply wanted to create food that people genuinely looked forward to eating. For me, it’s always been about flavour first.

“You don’t have to be vegan to enjoy great food, and we’ve been incredibly lucky to build such a supportive community of customers over the last few years.

“Milton Park has been part of our journey from the beginning.”

Planted Plates offers a daily-changing menu of plant-based breakfasts, lunches, pastries, and barista coffee.

The new space includes a larger seating area designed to encourage people to meet, work, and socialise throughout the day.

Ms Afzal added: “Starting at Milton Feast gave us the opportunity to test ideas, build a following and grow the business.

“Opening at Signal Yard feels like a full-circle moment and we’re excited to welcome both familiar faces and new customers through the door.

“I am incredibly proud of how far the business has come.

“This move gives us the opportunity to expand our offer, grow the team and continue building something that people genuinely enjoy being part of.”

The cafe also provides vegan catering services to businesses across Milton Park, using a zero-CO2 delivery vehicle.

Ms Afzal’s brother, Jack, has now joined the team as the company looks to recruit further staff.

The opening of Planted Plates is part of Milton Park’s £14m investment in Signal Yard, which aims to create a new social and retail destination for the park’s 280+ companies and the wider community.

Clare Fleet, asset manager of Milton Park at Federated Hermes Real Estate, said: “One of the ambitions for Signal Yard has always been to support independent businesses and create a destination that brings people together.

“Planted Plates perfectly captures that vision.

“Henna has built a fantastic business at Milton Park over the last five years and we’re delighted to see her become the first food and beverage operator to open at Signal Yard.”

Signal Yard is bringing together a mix of independent retailers, food and beverage operators, and health and wellbeing services in a central location at Milton Park.

Planted Plates has also been shortlisted in the Ox in a Box Awards, which celebrate Oxfordshire’s favourite independent food and drink businesses.

Public voting is open via the Ox in a Box website until 20 June 2026.