Giant Aakash still stuck with buffet

The Bradford restaurant that claims to be the biggest Indian restaurant in the world is still unable to serve a full menu more than two months after opening, because of a severe staff shortage.

Aakash restaurant, a £1.7m conversion of a former Methodist chapel, opened on 9 July and can seat 860 people, but is able to serve only a buffet.

The restaurant should employ 20 chefs and 40 waiters, but there are currently only 10 chefs and 20 waiters.

Head chef Zahir Khan said that some chefs from Pakistan had had their visa applications turned down by the authorities, but he expected to have a full kitchen staff in place by the end of this month.

The owners originally wanted at least 10 chefs from the subcontinent, each with more than eight years' experience. At present, there are four.