Liverpool's oldest Indian restaurant on sale

LONDON: Liverpool's oldest Indian restaurant Asha, which is serving Indian delicacies to food lovers for the last 43 years is now on sale.

The famous restaurant, owned by Kolkata-born Dipak Choudhury, is inviting offers in the region of 1.3 million pounds.

The sale has already generated interest as the Grade II-listed building that houses Asha is ripe for development, Choudhury said.

He however doubted whether a restaurant will ever occupy the site again.

Such is his affinity with the restaurant that the father-of-three, who lives above the premises with wife Chandana, is known as Mr Asha.

But at the age of 66 with a world cruise beckoning, Choudhury has decided it is time to shut shop and end what he describes as an "enduring love affair with the city of Liverpool".

While many have enjoyed the Choudhury's outstanding hospitality, his own children are pursuing careers as barristers and accountants instead of joining Mr Asha in the restaurant trade - leaving him with no choice but to reluctantly offer his beloved restaurant for sale.

Choudhury opened the eatery on April 4, 1964, spending 7,000 pounds and in 1992 he bought the building which housed it.

After 43 years in the trade, Choudhury said "I have no regrets - we have had some lovely times here in Liverpool.  I want to continue living in Liverpool".