A doctor who has reduced his hours to open a new Indian eatery says he wants to make it the “best restaurant in town”.
Sudhaker Kowlur has worked at the William Harvey Hospital since moving to the Finberry estate in Ashford three years ago.
Mr Sudhaker Kowlur’s Biryanis and More will offer more than 60 covers
In May, KentOnline revealed the 46-year-old consultant in emergency medicine wanted to branch out and become a franchisee of Biryanis and More.
The father-of-two earmarked an empty unit that had been occupied by KFC for more than 20 years before it suddenly shut in February last year.
Two months on and the restaurant, which includes a bar, is now all but complete ahead of its opening on Thursday, July 30.
With 68 seats and 17 tables, it is offering a range of Indian dishes, with a “special focus” on Hyderabadi biryanis – a dish from Hyderabad featuring fragrant basmati rice layered with yoghurt-marinated meat and spices.
This is alongside lamb and seafood curries and a range of chicken biryanis, including gongura and green mirchi.
Biryanis and More will trade from the former KFC unit in Ashford’s Lower High Street
Mr Kowlur told KentOnline: “It was slow getting going, but we’ve accomplished a lot in two months.
“We’ve all put a lot of heart into the restaurant and I’m not afraid of starting something new.
“The aim was to create a beautiful ambience which is colourful, modern, and chic, and that’s what we’ve done so I’m really impressed with everything.”
Mr Kowlur says there are no “authentic” Indian restaurants in that part of the town, with only a few Nepalese and Bangladeshi venues in Lower High Street.
“There are even fewer places to eat authentic biryanis in Ashford, so we’re confident it will be successful and that we can help the town centre this end,” he said.
Biryanis and More will trade from Ashford’s Lower High Street
The bar is also getting its finishing touches – with wine from Chapel Down, plus Indian spirits and Kingfisher beer set to be on offer.
“I’m going to make this the best restaurant in the town centre,” he added.
Almost £1 million has been invested in the project. Mr Kowlur took out a mortgage to purchase the property, located between Momo Kingdom and Nail Forever, for £500,000, with a further £450,000 spent on overhauling it.
More than a dozen staff will be employed at the restaurant, which will trade seven days a week from 12pm until 10.30pm.
It will be managed by his 39-year-old wife, Sujana Muchumarri, a former anatomy tutor, on a day-to-day basis while he continues working at the hospital.
Mr Sudhaker Kowlur and his wife Sujana Muchumarri are to open Biryanis and More in Ashford
A rooftop beer garden overlooking Vicarage Lane car park is also on the cards next year if planning permission is granted.
The couple had originally looked at opening in a unit next to the now-closed Matches sports bar at Elwick Place but that “couldn’t happen”.
Ashford Borough Council’s portfolio holder for the town centre, Heather Hayward (Ash Ind, Roman), said: “It’s always fantastic to see a vacant town centre unit brought back to life.
“Biryanis and More has already shown great commitment by investing in their premises with support from the council’s empty property grant, and I’m delighted to welcome them to their new home.”
The dine-in and casual takeaway brand has another restaurant in Hounslow, west London, and more than 80 branches worldwide.