Village’s curry-lovers inspire move to open takeaway

An Indian takeaway will open in the premises of a shop unit that housed a village post office for decades.

The Potts family have owned the premises on Main Road, Long Bennington, since 1968. For many years it was a general store run by Bob and Grace Potts.

Their son, Richard, 53, and his wife, Sharon, run Sharrick’s Fish Bar on one side of the unit, but the other had been dormant following the post office’s move to A. Arnold and Sons butchers last year.

However, Richard heard about a new business opportunity thanks to a village resident who enjoyed a curry — and spotted a gap in the market.

The resident helped to arrange a meeting between Richard and Mr Saiqul Miah, of the Ashiana Indian restaurant in North Muskham.

Ashiana is set to offer a takeaway service from Monday. The opening times will be 5.30pm-10.30pm Monday to Thursday and 5.30pm to 11pm Friday and Saturday.

Richard said it was pleasing to see premises that had such a rich history in the village filled by a new venture, following seven months’ work to convert the unit.

“I used to live above the shop and I went to work for my dad at the age of 14,” said Richard.

“It was a real Arkwright shop similar to the one in Open All Hours. I have got some fantastic childhood memories from there.

“People used to have bets in the local pub, the Royal Oak, about asking for something that my dad didn’t have in his store.

'There is a lot of history in the building'

“One bloke was sure he wouldn’t have a wheelbarrow, so everyone put 10 bob on the bar — he went to the store and found that they did sell one.

“You could get anything from a bag of frozen peas to a pushbike tyre. There is a lot of history in the building. That is why I am so pleased that Ashiana are moving into the unit.

“People in this village rely on services and it’s an attraction for people looking to move into the area.”

Mr Saiqul Miah, of Ashiana, said demand from villagers for a more convenient Indian takeaway service had persuaded him to open the new venture.

“We have quite a few customers who visit the restaurant from Long Bennington,” he said.

“They started ringing us to say that they would like us to open in the village.

“I had no intention of expanding but the customers pressured me into it, really.

“Expansion is a different experience for us but we are looking forward to it.”