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Council brings 340 empty Birmingham homes back into use in the past year

Asian World — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 13:30:24 +0000

Birmingham City Council is urging residents to report empty properties as part of National Empty Homes Week (9–15 March) and to highlight the progress made in returning unused homes to the community.

Over the past year, the council’s Empty Homes Team has successfully brought 340 empty properties back into use.

Long‑term empty homes often fall into disrepair, attract fly‑tipping, and can become hotspots for anti‑social behaviour, creating challenges for neighbourhoods. Council tax records show around 5,200 privately-owned homes in Birmingham have been empty for two years or more.

The council recently brought a property back into use in Perry Barr, which was left vacant after its former occupier moved into residential care. Over time, the home deteriorated significantly, with issues including an unstable sidewall, an overgrown garden attracting fly‑tipping and vermin, and reports of squatters.

The empty home in Perry Barr when it had fallen into disrepair.

The council intervened to improve the condition of the garden, remove the unsafe sidewall and start the process of auctioning the property. Efforts were made to trace the beneficiaries following the former occupier’s death. However, due to limited leasehold time remaining, no claim was made. Once the leasehold expired, the council took enforcement action against the freeholder, resulting in the leasehold registration being removed and the property being made available for auction.

The home has since been fully renovated by the new owners and is now back in use, improving the appearance and safety of the area.

Now that the home has been sold at auction, the new occupants have renovated it.

Councillor Nicky Brennans, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, said:

“Homes that stand empty in Birmingham can be a blight on local communities. They attract fly-tippers, burglars, vandals, and squatters. They can be a cause of anti-social behaviour and are often an eyesore in a neighbourhood, contributing to its decline and devaluing other people’s homes nearby.

“Bringing a home back into use can be a long and complicated process, but it is vital work that is needed at a time of unprecedented housing demand.

“We will always try to work with owners of empty homes to bring them back into use. However, we will undertake compulsory purchase orders as a last resort to protect people and their communities.

“I would urge anyone who knows about empty homes to report them to us by emailing emptyproperty@birmingham.gov.uk or calling 0121 303 7978.”

New repair and maintenance contracts set to deliver more flexible and responsive service for Birmingham tenants

Asian World — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 10:00:15 +0000

Tenants and leaseholders can expect a repairs and maintenance service that will be more flexible and responsive following the award of new contracts by Birmingham City Council.

From July 2026, three organisations will take responsibility for day-to-day repairs, improvement work on properties, and preparing empty homes for new tenants. This will also include planned maintenance programmes such as kitchen and bathroom upgrades.

After a detailed procurement process, Equans, Wates and Mears have been awarded a 10-year contract to repair and maintain about 60,000 council homes, with a possible 5-year extension. Equans will manage homes in the east of Birmingham, Wates in the north and south of Birmingham, and Mears in the central and west of Birmingham.

The decision to appoint new contractors follows extensive tenant feedback and aims to provide modern service that is more helpful, flexible, responsive and focused on tenants.

New arrangements will make repairs easier and more convenient for tenants. This includes a digitised repairs journey designed to improve communication and tenant satisfaction.

Tenants can expect clearer communication about upcoming works, timeframes, and any changes, as well as more freedom to reschedule appointments when needed.

New technology and systems to track the condition of Birmingham’s council homes and to make them warmer and more sustainable to heat.

The new contract model offers better value for money for the council. It will support the delivery of the council’s investment programme, which is investing more than £200m a year to provide better council homes. The new contracts are vital to help the council achieve the Government’s Decent Homes requirements for all of Birmingham’s council homes by 2032.

In the past year, 35,000 upgrades have been made to 6,000 council homes.

Cllr Nicky Brennan, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, said:

“The new contracts give us an opportunity to overhaul how we monitor repairs and maintenance of council homes and to ensure tenants are getting the quality of service our tenants rightly expect and deserve. Tenants should expect a more flexible and responsive service, with better communication.

“We are investing more than £200m a year to bring more council properties up to a better standard. We are installing new kitchens and bathrooms, and cutting energy bills by making homes cheaper and easier to heat. These new contracts will ensure we keep the pace of that investment so all our tenants and leaseholders are living in warm, safe and sustainable homes.”

Dr N U Haque & Partners Patient engagement event in support of Neuroblastoma UK

Asian World — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 13:37:10 +0000

We’re thrilled to share that we raised over £500 from our recent event! All donations will go directly to Neuroblastoma UK. Neuroblastoma is an aggressive child-hood cancer, and your generosity will help support vital research and providehope to affected families. A huge thank you to everyone who donated and sup-ported this important cause — your kindness truly makes a difference.

It was an amazing day, led by the wonderful staff of Dr Haque and Partners! We were joined by lots of our patients as well as Healthy Sandwell, making it a fantastic community event. The day was filled with delicious treats, samosas, cakes, and exciting raffle prizes all enjoyed alongside the flu vaccination clinic that was open on the day.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part, donated, and helped make the day such a success.

Sandwell community comes together for charity penalty shootout to raise awareness of youth mental health!!

Asian World — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 19:36:19 +0000

The Sandwell community came together for a charity penalty shootout aimed at raising awareness of youth mental health and encouraging local engagement through sport and wellbeing.

The event took place on Sunday 26 October 2025 at York Road Sports and Social Club in Sandwell, drawing families and football fans from across Sandwell and Oldbury for a day filled with laughter, friendly competition, and community spirit.

It was organised by Wellness Education, the non-profit arm of Active Clinics — a Birmingham-based wellness and aesthetics clinic founded by Sandwell resident Tammy Takkar. Active Clinics specialises in advanced, non-surgical treatments for recovery, performance, and rejuvenation, with a growing focus on community wellbeing through Wellness Education initiatives.

The event was held in collaboration with AFC Blackguard , a Sandwell football club founded by local barber and entrepreneur Ryan conlon, who set up the team initially to support mental health through sport.

Around 100 people attended the event, which featured a lively penalty shootout, children’s face painting, and family activities. After a competitive tournament, during the final stage no body scored to be crowned champion of the shoot out and the community voted that the £100 cash prize would be donated into the charity.

The event comes at a time when one in five young people in England are experiencing a probable mental health disorder, according to NHS Digital (2023).

To help address these challenges locally, Active Clinics has sponsored AFC BlackGuard, strengthening community links and supporting initiatives that give young people a safe, inclusive space to connect, stay active, and focus on their wellbeing.

Ryan Conlon, founder of AFC BlackGuard and a Sandwell barber said: “The penalty shootout was a fantastic success, and it was amazing to see so many young people and families come together for such a positive cause.

“Events like this show how sport can unite our community and open up conversations about mental health. I’m really grateful to Active Clinics for sponsoring our club and helping us create opportunities that give young people a sense of belonging and purpose.”

Tammy Takkar, founder of Active Clinics said: “Being from Sandwell myself, it’s a real privilege to give back to the community that shaped me.

“Supporting AFC BlackGuard and events like this penalty shootout allows us to promote wellbeing in a way that’s accessible, fun, and community-led. It’s inspiring to see Sandwell come together for such an important cause.”

Hilal Mehdi, co-founder and business partner at Active Clinics, said: “This event truly reflects what we stand for at Active Clinics — promoting physical and mental wellbeing in equal measure.

“Real wellness etends beyond the clinic walls and by sponsoring AFC Blackguard we partnered together to help young people build confidence, resilience and a sense of connection”

Meanwhile, the Wellness Education Charity recently hosted a wellness day retreat at Barston Lakes, Barston, where more than 30 people from Sandwell and neighbouring areas took part in a holistic day focused on mindfulness, relaxation, and disconnecting from technology.

The success of these initiatives highlights how Sandwell’s community spirit and collaboration are driving positive change in youth mental health and wellbeing across the region

Anayah Joins Aston Villa u18s

Asian World — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 19:56:28 +0000

Anayah Hussain, who attended Rockwood Academy has been a shining star at Alum Rock Football Academy.

Her hard work and talent have now caught the eye of Aston Villa U18’s.

We couldn’t be prouder of Anayah. Starting out here in her local area, she has become (and will continue to be) a positive role model for other young girls who aspire to play football.

From a young age, before she even turned 10, she began nurturing her football dreams by playing at home with her brothers. These early kickabouts sparked her passion for the sport and set her on the path to pursuing football more seriously.

What began as a small initiative led by a few passionate volunteers and a handful of local children has grown into one of Birmingham’s most respected community football clubs. Now supporting over 250 young people aged 5 to 18, Alum Rock FC offers more than just football training — it provides mentoring, educational workshops, and a safe, supportive space for young people to thrive.

Coach and club welfare officer Mohammed Ziarab Yasin reflected:

“We started with just a few kids and a lot of hope. Now we hear things like ‘this club kept me focused’ or ‘this is where I found confidence’. That’s what makes it all worth it. We’re proud of what we’ve built — but we’re not stopping here. There’s still so much more we want to do for the next generation.”

Though the club in its current form began 10 years ago, its roots run deeper — many of the current coaches grew up playing football together in Alum Rock, an area that has long faced economic and social challenges. Over the years, the club has become a vital part of the community, offering not just football, but also workshops on important issues like knife crime, online safety, and mental and physical health.

Richard Reeve, Headteacher at Rockwood Academy, praised the club’s role in supporting local young people:

“Alum Rock Football Academy is a vital part of life for many of our students. It gives them a positive outlet to grow, develop teamwork skills, and stay connected. The coaches understand the challenges our young people face — and meet those needs with care, consistency, and belief.”

Cllr Mariam Khan, Councillor for Alum Rock and Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care at Birmingham City Council, also shared her reflections:

“Alum Rock Football Academy is far more than a football club — it’s a cornerstone of our community. As a former coach and local councillor, I’ve seen firsthand how it builds confidence, friendship, and belonging. The commitment of the coaches and volunteers over the last 10 years has been nothing short of incredible. I’ll always treasure those Saturday mornings with the Tiny Tots — some of my happiest memories.”

In addition to supporting young players, the club has raised over £40,000 for charity through community matches and events, and has recently expanded its offering to include activities for younger children and fitness sessions for women.

Anayah with the team from Alum Rock Football Academy

Community Plaza Opens in Bordesley Green: A Beacon of Hope Against Crime and Inequality

Asian World — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 14:24:52 +0000

Community Plaza Opens in Bordesley Green: A Beacon of Hope Against Crime and Inequality

Bordesley Green, Birmingham — 5 September

A powerful new chapter has begun in Bordesley Green with the official launch of Community Plaza, a community centre designed to tackle inequality, reduce crime, and bring people together — and the first to open under the Community Plaza™ national franchise and licence model.

The launch night attracted over 250 local residents, families, and community leaders, creating an atmosphere filled with optimism, unity, and purpose. Among the distinguished guests were West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster, who also presented Mohammed Zafran with his 50th Golden Achievement Award on behalf of Asian World Newspaper, Alan Edwards, Regional Manager for West Midlands Crimestoppers, MP Ayoub Khan, and guest speaker Wajid Burkey of Burkey Estates.

A National Brand With Local Roots

Community Plaza™ is the brainchild of Sajad Khaliq, the brand owner and founder, a respected media tycoon who has run a local, award-winning newspaper for the past 19 years. Drawing on nearly two decades of grassroots reporting, community advocacy, and social impact work, Mr Khaliq developed Community Plaza as a franchise and licence-based model, enabling trusted local leaders to deliver high-impact community services under one nationally recognised brand.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Khaliq said:

“This is not just about one building or one postcode. Community Plaza is a blueprint for change — a model that allows proven community leaders to replicate real impact across the country.”

Franchise Awarded on Proven Impact

The Bordesley Green Community Plaza CIC operates as a licensed Community Plaza™ franchise, awarded to Mohammed Zafran and the local director team based on his demonstrated track record of social impact.

Mr Zafran was granted the franchise following his claim of supporting more than 44,000 individuals into education, employment, and training, alongside his receipt of over 50 national and regional awards recognising his long-standing contribution to youth development, crime prevention, and community cohesion.

Founder Sajad Khaliq explained the decision:

“Community Plaza franchises are awarded on credibility, commitment, and impact. Mohammed Zafran’s work over the past 15 years, and the scale of lives he claims to have supported, aligned with our values and our ambition for the brand.”

Leadership With Lived Experience

Speaking emotionally on the night, Mr Zafran reflected on his journey:

“I’ve worked with young people who were broken, lost, and ready to give up. I’ve seen families torn apart by gangs and crime.

Community Plaza allows us to scale this work, reach more people, and create lasting change. This centre is about saving lives, building confidence, and ensuring no young person feels forgotten.”

Mr Zafran also serves as Chairman of Crimestoppers, further strengthening the centre’s focus on crime prevention, safeguarding, and community trust.

Celebrating Local Heroes

The evening also recognised individuals already making a positive difference. In partnership with Asian World Newspaper, the UK’s largest award-winning South Asian publication, Community Hero Awards were presented by the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Head of Crimestoppers, highlighting those who have gone above and beyond to support the Bordesley Green community.

A Place for Everyone

Thomas McGeever BCAc, Director of Community Plaza Bordesley Green CIC, said:

“The turnout tonight proves how much this centre matters. Community Plaza is the heartbeat of Bordesley Green — and now it’s time to turn that heartbeat into action.

This is a place for everyone. No matter your age, background, or circumstances — you belong here.”

What Community Plaza Offers

Community Plaza has been created to meet real, identified community needs, including:

Youth engagement and mentoring programmes

Knife crime awareness and prevention workshops

Women’s coffee mornings and support sessions

Equality, confidence, and empowerment initiatives

Health and wellbeing support for families

Skills development, employability, and training workshops

Recreational activities such as pool, snooker, table tennis, darts, and gaming

A hot food kitchen designed to bring people together

Looking Ahead

Closing the event, Sajad Khaliq outlined the wider vision:

“We are not here for a quick fix. Community Plaza is a long-term investment in people. Through our franchise and licence model, we aim to open centres across the country — led by individuals with proven impact and strong community trust.

Bordesley Green is the first step in what will become a national movement.”

With its doors now open, Community Plaza Bordesley Green stands as both a lifeline for local residents and the flagship of a growing national Community Plaza™ network, built on accountability, opportunity, and hope.

Illegal Goods Seized Across Birmingham as Operation Cloud Strikes Again

Asian World — Sat, 09 Aug 2025 07:55:27 +0000

Birmingham City Council’s Trading Standards team, in partnership with West Midlands Police, carried out multiple major enforcement actions under the ongoing Operation Cloud initiative.

The initiative targets the sale of illegal and harmful goods across the city.

Warrants were executed at a business premises in Kings Heath last month, along with two vehicles linked to the operation. The coordinated action resulted in the seizure of 40 large nitrous oxide bottles and associated paraphernalia, 600 illicit vapes, 17 packets of oral snuff and 80 unlicensed erectile dysfunction tablets.

One vehicle was seized, and forced entry was made into the second. A male suspect was also arrested at the scene.

The Council’s Trading Standards team and West Midlands Police visited the same premises in November 2024 and seized a number of illicit goods. Last month’s visit was the second seizure at the premises.

A closure order has now been issued for the premises based on concerns from the community worried about anti-social behaviour. The closure will be in place for three months.

On 7 August, the Council’s Trading Standards team continued to intensify operations with two further enforcement actions under Operation Cloud in Erdington.

Both premises were identified through new intelligence and were visited with the support of a trained detection dog.

This operation resulted in seizures of 1666 illegal vapes, 5624 packets of illicit cigarettes (112,480 cigarette sticks) and 992 packets of counterfeit tobacco pouches, with a combined estimated street value of £125,000.

Officers also accessed a vehicle that was storing illegal goods, which was seized at the scene.

Councillor Jamie Tennant, Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Community Safety and Equalities, said:

“This latest raid demonstrated our unwavering commitment to protecting Birmingham’s communities from the dangers of illegal goods. These products were not only harmful to individuals – particularly young people – but also fuelled anti-social behaviour and criminal activity in our neighbourhoods.”

Launched in September 2024, Operation Cloud has been a city-wide crackdown on the distribution of illicit vapes, nitrous oxide, counterfeit tobacco, and other illegal products that pose serious risks to public health and safety. To date, the operation has removed nearly £7 million worth of illegal goods from circulation.

Operation Cloud continued to intensify, with enforcement actions targeting the illegal sale of single-use vapes, following a new ban introduced on 1 June 2025.

Residents were encouraged to report any suspicious activity or sales of illegal goods by contacting Birmingham Trading Standards on 0121 303 9360 or West Midlands Police on 101.

TOP TEN SHORTLISTED RESTAURANTS & TAKEAWAYS ACROSS UK REGIONS ANNOUNCED AHEAD OF OCTOBER AWARDS

Asian World — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 07:45:21 +0000

The top ten shortlisted Asian restaurants and takeaways across UK regions have been unveiled for the annual Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards (ARTA), the most prestigious celebration of pan Asian cuisine in the UK, taking place this year on Monday 6th October 2025 at the London Hilton Park Lane.

Hosted by BBC journalist and broadcaster, Samantha Simmonds, and magician, Paul Martin, the coveted awards recognise the very best of Asian cuisine across a range of national and regional categories. ARTA 2025 continues to reward excellence, craft, creativity and great taste by bringing together the UK’s most celebrated Asian restaurants, chefs and culinary professionals under one roof.

This year, over 1,295 restaurants and takeaways from across the UK were nominated by diners and food lovers, with a significant number of nominations coming through ChefOnline, ARTA’s strategic partner and one of the UK’s leading platforms connecting diners to Asian restaurants and takeaways. Leveraging its national customer base of over a million, ChefOnline helped drive strong nationwide participation in the awards. Nominations were also bolstered by strong social media engagement and data insights such as Food Hygiene Ratings.

Speaking about the Asian Restaurant & Takeaway Awards 2025, Mohammed Munim, Founder Member and CEO of ARTA, said “Asian restaurants and takeaways have long played a vital role in the UK’s economy and culture. Their contribution through job creation, community impact, and culinary excellence, deserves to be recognised. Especially in today’s challenging climate, ARTA is proud to champion their achievements and support their continued success. Every nominee is a testament to the industry’s resilience and we look forward to celebrating them on 6th October.”

From the prestigious National Champion of Champions, Regional Restaurant of the Year, and Chef of the Year to Takeaway of the Year and National Newcomer of the Year, ARTA 2025 will shine a spotlight on the remarkable talent, innovation and dedication that powers the UK’s thriving Asian restaurant sector.

ChefOnline is the ARTA 2025 Strategic Partner; Guavapay, Super Pollo, Work Permit Cloud and Cobra Beer are Associate Sponsors; Madhu’s is Catering Partner. ARTA 2025 is also proudly supported by Cambridge Regional College, Squire Mile Insurance and Lexpert Solicitors.

Following are the ARTA 2025 shortlisted Top 10 Restaurants and Takeaways in the regional category awards.

ARTA 2025 Shortlisted Top Ten Restaurants and Takeaways:

Regional Restaurant of the Year – Northern Ireland:

Bites Of India, Botanic, Belfast

Himalayan, Botanic, Belfast

Indian Ocean Restaurant, Holywood, Belfast

Kohinoor Indian Cuisine, Lisburn, Belfast

Little India Restaurant, Carrickfergus, Belfast

Mayur Indian Restaurant, Larne, Belfast

Monsoon, Dundonald, Belfast

Nu Delhi Restaurant Lounge, Belfast

Shimla Indian Cuisine, Cregagh, Belfast

Yaks, Bangor, Belfast

Regional Restaurant of the Year – Scotland:

Solas-Kitchen, Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy

Firangi, Cambuslang, Glasgow

Gurkha Kitchen, Fraserburgh, Aberdeen

Masala Twist, Glasgow

Opium, Glasgow

Prince of India, Pitlochry

Rustom Restaurant, Haymarket, Edinburgh

Sidhu’s, Perth

Yakitori House, East Kilbride, Glasgow

Yorokobi by CJ, Aberdeen

Regional Restaurant of the Year – South Wales:

1988 Indian Restaurant, Penarth, Cardiff

Elaichi, Carmarthen, Swansea

Hatti Indian Restaurant, Newport

Mango Tree, Cardiff

Raj Kitchen, Swansea

Rasoi Waterfront, Swansea

Red Fort, Caerleon, Newport

Salkaara, Cardiff

Spice Delight, Penarth, Cardiff

Vanilla Spice, Newport

Regional Restaurant of the Year – North Wales:

Anise, Wrexham, Llandudno

Black Peppers, Wrexham, Llandudno

Ijazz Indian Cuisine, Wrexham, Llandudno

Junction Tandoori Restaurant, Llandudno

Maahis, Wrexham, Llandudno

Spice of Llanberis, Caernarfon, Llandudno

Tava Restaurant, Wrexham, Llandudno

Thai Dine, Wrexham, Llandudno

Valley Spice, Corwen, Llandudno

Thisha Curry House, Rhyl, Llandudno

Regional Restaurant of the Year – North West:

Achari, Bolton

Freya’s Grill, Darwen, Blackburn

Junoon, Helsby, Warrington

Krapow Thai Restaurant, Warrington

Lily’s Indian Vegetarian Cuisine, Ashton-under-Lyne, Oldham

Maki & Ramen, Manchester

Mr Chaat, Bolton

Thamin, Littleborough, Oldham

Venus Lounge Restaurant, Heywood, Oldham

Wild Ginger, Rochdale, Oldham

Regional Restaurant of the Year – North East:

Chutney, Gleadless Townend, Sheffield

Jolsha, Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland

My Delhi, Newcastle upon Tyne

Punjabi Heaven Restaurant, Roundhay, Leeds

Sachi’s Burley, Burley in Wharfedale, Leeds

Sherkhan Of Alnwick, Alnwick, Newcastle upon Tyne

SIBU, Batley, Wakefield

Soami’s Trio By Parvin Kumar, Consett, Durham

Soho Tavern, Gateshead, Newcastle upon Tyne

Urban Choola, Sheffield

Regional Restaurant of the Year – West Midlands:

Alessi Indian Restaurant, Audley, Stoke-on-Trent

Bao To The Broth, Hereford

Golden Keg, Draycott in the Moors, Stoke-on-Trent

Gurkha Imperial Dining, Bromsgrove

Indian Edge, Kenilworth

Maneki Ramen, Worcester

Millennium, Kings Heath, Birmingham

Monsoon Majestic Indian Dining, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent

Tamarind, Balsall Common, Coventry

Pickles Indian and Grill Cuisine, Spon End, Coventry

Regional Restaurant of the Year – East Midlands:

House Boat Restaurant, Derby

Kushboo, Kettering, Northampton

Laziza Indian Bar & Restaurant, Burton Waters, Lincoln

Nazreen, Burton Latimer, Kettering

Shapla Spice, Ripley, Derby

Silchar Indian Dining, Hinckley

Spice Lounge, Brackley

Aramintas, Northampton Wakaze, Leicester

Wakaze, Leicester

Zaap Thai Street Food, Nottingham

Regional Restaurant of the Year – Hertfordshire:

Abbots Tandoori, Abbots Langley, Watford

Dalchini Spice, Shefford, Stevenage

Dragon Garden, Borehamwood, Watford

Ginger Bar & Restaurant, Hertford, Stevenage

MITR Restaurant, Royston, Stevenage

Oishii Japanese Restaurant, Hertford, Stevenage

Old Siam, Hertford, Stevenage

Raj Of India, Welwyn Garden City, St Albans

Tamarind, Potters Bar, Enfield

The Cochin Indian Restaurant, Hemel Hempstead

Regional Restaurant of the Year – East Anglia:

Sushi And Salad, Ely, Cambridge

Rose and Mango, Saint Neots, Peterborough

New Saffron Indian Restaurant & Takeaway, Thetford, Ipswich

Tamarind Fine Indian Dining, Blofield, Norwich

Takayama Restaurant, Ipswich

The Kimchi, Norwich

Bananaleaf, Chesterton, Cambridge

Lowestoft Tandoori, Lowestoft, Norwich

Taste of India, Rushmere St Andrew, Ipswich

Shilpa Indian Restaurant, Papworth Everard, Cambridge

Regional Restaurant of the Year – Essex:

Taz Restaurant, Rettendon Common, Chelmsford

Temple, Woodford, Ilford

Neyzen Restaurant and Pods, Romford

The Britannia & Gurkha Restaurant & Bar, Berechurch, Colchester

Rim Jhim Spice Indian Restaurant, Stanway, Colchester

Moonlight Tandoori, Harlow, CM18 7NW

Maharani Indian Restaurant, Colchester

Kelvedon Spice, Kelvedon, Colchester

Golden Mayfair, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea

Wadud’s Fusion of Thai & Indian Restaurant, Braintree, Chelmsford

Regional Restaurant of the Year – Kent:

Durbar Spice, Downe, Bromley

The Bombay, Swanley, Bromley

The Bombay Restaurant, Swanley, Bromley

Spice Village, New Ash Green, Longfield

Prince of India, Faversham, Rochester

Mowglis, Beachampton, Milton Keynes

Indian Valley Restaurant and Takeaway, Orpington, Bromley

Ginger & Spices, Chislehurst, Bromley

Spice Lounge, Faversham, Rochester

Shozna, Rochester

Regional Restaurant of the Year – Surrey:

Bay Leaves, Ewell, Kingston upon Thames

Trishala, Redhill

3 Rooms Indian Restaurant, Ottershaw, Kingston upon Thames

Yaadein Authentic Indian Restaurant, Stoneleigh, Kingston upon Thames

The Cricket Lounge, Worcester Park, Sutton

Spicy Tadka Staines, Staines-upon-Thames, Twickenham

Rishi’s in Slate & Grain Brasserie and Bar, Hackbridge, Sutton

Red Rose of Chessington, Hook, Kingston upon Thames

Coulsdon Spice, Coulsdon, Croydon

Colombo Kitchen – Hopper & Kottu Bar, Worcester Park, Kingston upon Thames

Regional Restaurant of the Year – Sussex:

Akash Indian Restaurant & Takeaway, Horsham, Redhill

Alishaan Indian Restaurant, Sompting, Brighton

Andaaz Indian Restaurant, Worthing, Brighton

Calcutta 16, Shoreham-by-Sea, Brighton

ETCI Kitchen, Brighton and Hove, Brighton

Moonstone Sri Lankan Restaurant, Brighton and Hove, Brighton

Tamasha, Lindfield, Redhill

The New Curry Centre, Horsham, Redhill

The Parsons Table, Arundel, Brighton

The Royal Indian Restaurant, Hailsham, Brighton

Regional Restaurant of the Year – South Central:

Chennai Express, Fleet, Guildford

Chilis Indian & Indo Chinese Restaurant, King’s Walk, Reading

Haweli Restaurant, Southall

Jalpari of Woodley, Woodley, Reading

Mint Lounge, Southampton

Padharo Indian Restaurant, Southampton

Spice Lounge, Burford, Oxford

Spicy Tadka, Basingstoke, Reading

The Paradise Balti House, Petersfield, Guildford

Suan Thai Restaurant, Romsey, Southampton

Regional Restaurant of the Year – South West:

Chilli’s, Weymouth, Dorchester

Ebisu, Weston-super-Mare, Bristol

Indian Queen, Saint Columb, Truro

Paprika, Whitchurch, Bristol

Royal Jaipur, Landford, Salisbury

Salkaara, Henleaze, Bristol

Spice Lounge Indian Cuisine, Ilfracombe, Exeter

Spice Route, Andover, Salisbury

Sultanz Indian Restaurant, Camborne, Truro

Vegan India, Bishopston, Bristol

Regional Restaurant of the Year – North London:

Pinos Warung, Chalk Farm, London

Mala Brasserie, Whetstone, London

Hanwoo Village Angel, Islington, London

Taste of Goa, Finsbury Park, London

Ruhit’s Indian Cuisine, Brent, London

Taherah, Belsize Park, London

Day of the Raj, Mill Hill, London

Taste of Nawab, Muswell Hill, London

Malay Fellas, Camden, London

Yaki Ya!, Colindale, London

Regional Restaurant of the Year – City & East London:

Forest Tandoori, Walthamstow, London

Mumbai Square Restaurant, Aldgate, London

The India, Islington, London

Meraz, Tower Hamlets, London

Bengal Tiger, Shoreditch, London

Muhib Indian Cuisine, London

Bengal Village, London

The Famous Curry Bazaar, London

Eastern Eye Balti House, London

The Empress, London

Regional Restaurant of the Year – Central & West London:

BKC – Biryani Kebab Chai, Marble Arch, London

Chettinad Restaurant, Camden, London

Dhaba@49, Westminster, London

Durbar Tandoori, Notting Hill, London

Indian Express, West Kensington, London

Maharaja of India, Leicester Square, London

The Mughal’s Indian Restaurant, Kings Cross, London

Tajmahal Indian Cuisine, Kings Cross, London

Tokri Restaurant, Gunnersbury Ave, London

Tamarind Kitchen, Westminster, London

Regional Restaurant of the Year – South London:

Pure Indian Cooking, Fulham, London

Colombo Kitchen, Putney, London

Indian Room, Balham, London

Pravaas, South Kensington, London

Troia, Southbank, London

Mumbai Delight, Vauxhall, London

Chaska Maska, Brockley, London

The Mantl, Knightsbridge, London

Saka Maka Hither Green Indian Restaurant, Hither Green, London

Toba, Westminster, London

Regional Takeaway of the Year – Northern Ireland:

Mao Asian Cuisine, Ballymoney

Lucky Star, Antrim, Belfast

Khyber Tandoori, Carryduff, Belfast

Curry Leaf, Hillsborough, Belfast

Chutney Joe, Saintfield, Belfast

Asha Tandoori, Bangor, Belfast

Dungannon Spice, Dungannon, Belfast

Night of Bengal, Belfast

Ruchi, Belfast

Bengal Cottage, Belfast

Regional Takeaway of the Year – Scotland:

Diamond Inn, Scotstoun, Glasgow

Slumdog Delivered, Corstorphine, Edinburgh

Zain’s Curry House, Dalry, Kilmarnock

The Red Tiffin Takeaway, Glasgow

The Aladdin’s Indian Takeaway, Perth

Azaad Takeaway, Invergowrie, Dundee

Spicy Bite Takeaway, Edinburgh

Greener ways of travel for NHS staff commended by city council

Asian World — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 08:01:04 +0000

Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust has become the first in the city to be commended for its greener travel to work schemes.

The Trust has a catalogue of initiatives which have led to the organisation achieving a Modeshift STARS certification for a ‘Very Good Travel Plan’ awarded by Birmingham City Council.

Schemes include the promotion of car free days, cycling to work and using more public transport to travel to the Trust’s sites.

Councillor Majid Mahmood, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport at Birmingham City Council, visited Birmingham Children’s Hospital this week to present the Trust with the certification and met with staff Steve Cumley, Chief Operating Officer and Maya Desai, who both cycle to work.

Cllr Mahmood said: “Modeshift STARS recognises healthcare settings, schools, businesses, workplaces and other organisations that have shown excellence in supporting cycling, walking and other forms of sustainable and active travel.

“This is the first hospital site in Birmingham to achieve this level of accreditation on the Modeshift Healthcare platform which is a fantastic achievement and I would like to congratulate everyone involved.

“The way we travel is more than just logistics. It is about rethinking how we move about. By encouraging walking, cycling, public transport, low-emission vehicles, and car sharing, we are making it easier and better for staff, patients, and visitors to choose sustainable travel options.”

Dan Saxton, Head of Sustainability at the Trust who also greeted the councillor, said: “The take up from staff in using different modes of travel has been really encouraging.

“We have been actively promoting cycling by offering free bike loans which is also an NHS Net Zero initiative, whilst we have also been investigating car sharing where possible. We have expanded on offers for use on public transport including free bus and discounted tram travel.

“These different initiatives are shared with staff on a regular basis and any new starters are given all this information on their first day, again this is in line with the NHS Net Zero programme.

“We are grateful to Cllr Mahmood for presenting us with this certification.”

Carers’ voices take centre stage at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

Asian World — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 08:03:30 +0000

Carers from across the city are having their art exhibited at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.

Cllr Mariam Khan views some of the artwork

Carers’ Voice is running throughout August in the Industrial Gallery as part of the museum’s powerful Made in Birmingham display.

Organised by Forward Carers, which runs the Birmingham Carers Hub on behalf of the city council, it is funded through the National Lottery Community Fund.

Cllr Mariam Khan, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: “This exhibition really brings the stories of unpaid carers to life, illustrating the vital work they do to support people who need help due to disability, illness, mental health needs, addiction or frailty.

“We have over 91,000 unpaid carers in Birmingham who face real challenges and it is so moving to hear their stories. It was a real honour to meet some of these wonderful people at the exhibition launch.”

Many carers have also shared their stories in a newly released book created in collaboration with Barefoot Birmingham Yoga and supported by Big White Shed. The book will be available to purchase from the museum shop throughout August.

The exhibition features original artwork and poetry created by carers, short videos capturing the lived experiences shared in the book and space for visitors to reflect on the realities of caring and the strength it takes to support loved ones.