Owners of Pasha to open new restaurant (From Worcester News)

Owners of Pasha to open new restaurant

7:30pm Wednesday 1st August 2012 in News By Sarah Davies

APPROVAL: Sam Ahmed outside the site for the new restaurant.

THE owners of an Indian restaurant and takeaway in Worcester have finally been given the go-ahead to open up a new venue on a housing estate in the city.

The proprietors of Pasha in St John’s, which has been open since 1987, put forward proposals last spring to take over a former newsagents at 51 Canada Way in Lower Wick.

More than a year later, and following the refusal of a previous application at 61 Canada Way, plans for a 20-cover restaurant have received the approval of Worcester City Council planners.

Sam Ahmed, Pasha’s manager, said the new eatery would offer an entirely different cuisine to the existing restaurant.

He said: “We’re relieved the plans have been approved. It’s been a long fight. Hopefully, the new restaurant will benefit the area by attracting more people to the other businesses.

“After much thought and research, we have decided to open a Nando’s concept at the new restaurant. [It’s] definitely a big challenge and we will still be offering a takeaway service, perhaps even a home delivery service.”

Mr Ahmed said he hoped the restaurant would be ready to open in four weeks.

He said a name had not yet been decided, but he was open to suggestions and people were welcome to drop in any ideas to Pasha.

The restaurant will employ six full-time and three part-time members of staff. It has been given permission to open at 5pm every day of the week until 10pm Sundays to Thursdays and 10.30pm Fridays to Saturdays.

The Nando’s restaurant chain, which has an outlet in Friar Street, specialises in grilled chicken seasoned with Portuguese-Mozambican influenced spices.