Battling tandoori owner keeps the bulldozers at bay

A Northumberland restaurant owner has won his battle to save his business from the bulldozers.

Awlad Miah has run the Lal Qila Tandoori and Balti House, in Cramlington town centre, for 13 years. In December it was voted the best restaurant in the North-east by readers of a regional newspaper.

But, just days later, Miah, who rents the site from the landlords of a nearby shopping centre, was told they had applied for planning permission to have the restaurant demolished, because a supermarket wanted to extend its 400-space car park to create an extra 40 spaces.

The landlords, Charterhouse Shopping Centre Fund, said they were forced to make the application because of a deal signed by the previous owners of the shopping centre and Safeway.

Miah collected 4,200 names on a petition and he was also supported by his local MP, Ronnie Campbell. At a meeting of Blyth Valley Council it took councillors just five minutes to reject the application.

A spokesman said that demolishing a popular restaurant would breach council policies, which seek to protect the vitality and attractiveness of the town centre.

Mr Miah said: "I feel great. It's a big weight off my shoulders. I actually thought I would lose, because they are such a big, powerful company. I would like to thank all my customers and everyone else who supported me."

But Safeway spokesman Peter Sitch said: "We understand there is local concern but see no reason why Mr Miah should not be able to find alternative local premises."

He added: "Charter House has a duty to pursue this and deliver vacant possession. As it is, Mr Miah's lease ends in two years." But a spokesman for Charter House said they would not be appealing against the decision.

He added: "In the absence of planning consent we will not be able to obtain vacant possession. As far as we are concerned, that's the end of the matter.

"If Mr Miah wants to renew his lease, we couldn't and wouldn't stand in his way."

by Nigel Green