Bradford businessman Aftab Ali bought the chain’s Headingley restaurant in 2019, after a difficult period in which the original business, founded in 2015, went into administration under its former owner and city center sites in Leeds, York, Harrogate and Sheffield have closed. He resigned as a director in 2020 and, according to Companies House records, the director position is now held by Zulfiqar Hussain.
Although he initially hoped to return to LS1, pre-Covid negotiations over a unit near John Lewis fell through.
The brand has now leased part of Grade II listed Stratford House in Chapel Allerton, and will open a restaurant and takeaway in the former Black Market premises on Tuesday 5 October.
A statement on the chain’s Facebook page read: “We are open six days a week (closed on Mondays). We offer on-site catering, take-out and delivery. Authentic Indian street food – prepared and served with love. we also have a large event space and outdoor area with covered seating. Outdoor catering is also available. We look forward to welcoming you.”
Mr Ali previously told the Yorkshire Post that he intended to target college towns and millennial shoppers with his expansion plans.
The new venture will have to compete with several curryhouses in Chapel Allerton – including De Baga, a street food and craft beer offering which opened this year, having expanded from Headingley.
Prior to 2018, the site was occupied by Buca di Pizza. The ground floor of the building also houses the Malaysian restaurant Dapur.