The Curry Crawl

Giant goes the way of dinosaurs!

Sadness as 'biggest curry house' closes
By Jenny Loweth

The shock closure of a landmark restaurant - dubbed the world's biggest curry house - has been greeted with dismay.

Tribute was paid to the vision of Mohammed Iqbal Tabassum who created the flagship 860-seat Aakash Restaurant from a derelict chapel in Cleckheaton.

The Aakash shut down last week after it was repossessed by its bank. A notice on the door of the 19th century building banned Mr Tabassum from entering the premises. It said the Bank of India had repossessed the building under the terms of the mortgage. The notice was put up by the bank's solicitors Mohindra Maini, of Manchester.

Mr Tabassum opened the Aakash in July, 2001, after a £1.7m restoration project. Ward Councillor Kath Pinnock, a former leader of Kirklees Council, said: "Mr Tabassum had a great vision for the building, which had been lying empty. He invested a huge amount of money in it and the project was recognised nationally. I am dreadfully sorry for him and the people who worked there because it was a great place to go to eat."

Coun Pinnock said the Aakash was "a fabulous local venue" that was sensitively restored.
Keith Joplin, president of Spenborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: "If the restaurant is permanently closed it is a sad day for everyone in the area.
"I would like to pay tribute to Mr Tabassum who invested a lot of money in the town and rescued a building that was decaying."

Councillor Ann Raistrick (Lib-Dem, Cleckheaton) said: "It's a big disappointment for everybody." She said a dual use might be found for it to split the running costs.
The chapel was on the English Heritage buildings at risk register. Built in 1857, it is Grade II-star listed and featured on the BBC's Restoration series. Neither the Bank of India nor its solicitor was available for comment.