An independent food business that began life serving dishes from a street food truck at Milton Park has taken a significant step in its journey, opening a new permanent home at Signal Yard and becoming the first food and beverage operator to launch within the growing destination.
Planted Plates, founded by Didcot entrepreneur Henna Afzal, has officially opened its doors following a five-year evolution that reflects both the appetite for independent food businesses in Oxfordshire and the rapid transformation of Milton Park’s community spaces.
The opening at Signal Yard marks the latest chapter for the plant-based café, which first gained traction in 2021 at Milton Feast, Milton Park’s street food pop-up event designed to showcase emerging local traders. What began as a small-scale food truck operation quickly developed into a loyal following among employees working across Milton Park’s 280-plus companies, as well as visitors from the surrounding area.
By 2025, the business had already outgrown its original format, moving into its first permanent premises at 136 Eastern Avenue within Milton Park. The new Signal Yard location now represents a further expansion, providing a larger, more visible and purpose-built space for Planted Plates to evolve its offering.
The café now serves an expanded all-day menu featuring breakfasts, brunch dishes, barista coffee, fresh cakes and pastries, alongside its established plant-based lunch options. The move has also allowed for a more flexible layout, with increased seating designed to encourage customers to meet, work and socialise throughout the day.
At the heart of the menu is a flavour-led approach that has helped the business appeal well beyond vegan and vegetarian audiences. Signature dishes include spiced pakoras, chickpea curries, and smashed avocado on sourdough topped with vine-roasted tomatoes and balsamic glaze.
Alongside dine-in service, Planted Plates continues to operate a growing corporate catering arm, supplying working lunches, meetings and larger events across Milton Park and wider Oxfordshire, supported by a zero-CO2 delivery vehicle.
The opening also signals continued growth for the team behind the business, with new recruitment underway following the expansion. Henna Afzal’s brother Jack has already joined the operation, reflecting the increasingly collaborative family-run nature of the enterprise.
Open Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 6.00pm, the café operates a daily-changing menu designed to reflect seasonality and maintain variety for regular customers.
Speaking about the opening, founder Henna Afzal said Signal Yard represents a milestone moment in a journey that began with a simple ambition.
“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. 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.
“This move gives us the opportunity to expand our offer, grow the team and continue building something that people genuinely enjoy being part of.”
Signal Yard itself is part of a wider £14 million investment by Milton Park to create a more vibrant social and retail destination for its workforce and the surrounding community. The development is designed to bring together independent retailers, food and beverage operators, and health and wellbeing services in a central hub.
Federated Hermes Real Estate, which manages Milton Park, says the arrival of Planted Plates reflects its long-term ambition to support independent businesses and foster a sense of community within the estate.
Clare Fleet, asset manager at Milton Park, said the café’s journey is a strong example of local enterprise growth.
“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.
“Their journey from Milton Feast to a permanent home at Signal Yard demonstrates how businesses can start, grow and thrive here.
“As more retailers and operators open over the coming months, Signal Yard will continue to evolve into a vibrant social and retail destination for both the Park and wider community.”
Alongside its café and catering services, Planted Plates has also been shortlisted in this year’s Ox in a Box Awards, which celebrates independent food and drink businesses across Oxfordshire. Public voting is currently open, with nominations closing on 20 June 2026.
As Signal Yard continues to take shape, the opening of Planted Plates sets an early benchmark for what the destination aims to become: a home for independent operators with strong local roots and ambitious growth stories.
