An Altrincham couple have launched a new business delivering “healthy, tasty and convenient” lunches for workers at their desks.
Lauren Drury and Harrison Prosser, who have been dating for seven years, said they came up with the idea for City Salads while in their previous jobs.
Harrison, 26, worked in e-commerce logistics while Lauren, 23, was a PA at the Manchester Eye Hospital.
Harrison said: “We both worked in Manchester city centre and found it really difficult to get our hands on a really simple, healthy, tasty lunch.
“Some are fortunate enough to work next to a quirky deli or a cool, healthy food place, but that’s not mainstream or affordable on a daily basis. If you’re into sport and you’re going to the gym regularly, what you really want is some sort of carb, protein and fat, but I couldn’t find it.”
So 12 months ago, the pair started planning for the business from their apartment at the Budenberg Development in Broadheath, and earlier this year quit their jobs to work on the idea full-time.
City Salads is now live in Manchester city centre and Warrington – and after launching two weeks ago at the Pure Gym expansion party, Altrincham.
It aims to consign the daily Meal Deal hunt of many workers to history, allowing them to create a bespoke and healthy salad that will be delivered to their office (for free) on a next-day basis, assuming the online order is made before 1pm.
The company caters for vegetarians, as well as those with gluten or dairy intolerances, and monthly plans are available. All food is sourced from suppliers within 20 miles of Manchester.
“Our idea isn’t to roll out boxes with iceberg lettuce, cherry tomatoes and onions.,” added Prosser. “We’re foodies. For us, it’s about making these salads spectacular at an affordable price. We want them to be amazing.”
The couple, who lived together in Lake Como in Italy before moving back to their home town, have funded the venture privately with the exception of one external investor.
Harrison does have something of a local food pedigree – his mum set up Fellicini’s Italian restaurant (well known to Hale residents of a certain vintage) before selling it 15 years ago, and his dad was one of the team behind The American Bar and The Brasserie, two much-missed Altrincham venues.
So far City Salads has served 600 people, with Wythenshawe Hospital a customer. The couple have ambitious plans to launch in new places as soon as they can.
“It’s all going very well and we’re getting a great reception out there, especially on social media,” said Lauren. “If all goes well, we’d like to expand into Liverpool and Chester next.”
