An abandoned former betting shop in Edinburgh's southside is set to be transformed into an Asian restaurant.
Since the shop on Clerk Street closed down before the pandemic, new owner Mohammed Attaulhaq has been busy transforming the spacious unit into a Pakistani-inspired restaurant after noticing a 'gap in the market'.
The local businessman, who has lived in the capital for more than two decades, hopes to open the restaurant next month following extensive renovations and back and forth conversations with the council.
READ MORE: Edinburgh gets Fayre Play Scotland’s first 'adults only' fairground games venue
Speaking to Edinburgh Live about acquiring the building and his plans for the restaurant, which will seat between 20-30 customers, Mohammed expressed a desire to implement a 'live kitchen'.
He said: "I bought the shop back in 2020 and since then I've been working on this project. It has been a very long way to get to here with all the planning which wasn't an easy process to go through.
"Making it through Covid was really difficult too and this is my first time owning and running a restaurant. I own another business near the building but it's completely different.
"I like my traditional Pakistani food and find it quite difficult to find something original in Edinburgh. If I go to cities such as Birmingham and Bradford I find that taste as a lot of places bring that original taste.
"That's why I decided to bring the original taste to Edinburgh, a Lahori cuisine that is known throughout the country and I feel like there is definitely a gap in the market."
Mohammed is remaining tight-lipped on the name of his restaurant, but hopes to open next month and is looking to provide customers with starters, mains, desserts and a selection of non-alcoholic drinks.
He is also exploring the option of a 'live kitchen' which is set to take up room in the middle of the restaurant but will give customers a unique experience in the form of witnessing how their food is made in front of their eyes.
Mohammed continued: "I'm happy that Covid is behind us as it was very difficult preparing the paperwork and contacting people. I have come up with the idea of a live kitchen so that the food is cooked in the open-plan area of the restaurant.
"It takes up a lot of space but it is a big building and I have allocated an amount of space so it is not crammed into a corner. I'm bringing in special Lahori chefs but one of the main chefs will also be a family member so it will be half-family run hopefully."
The restaurant can be found at 30 Clerk Street in Edinburgh's Newington area.
READ NEXT:
Edinburgh emergency services rush to collision involving car and cyclist
Dad 'fighting for life' in hospital after plunging 30ft from Lanzarote hotel balcony
Edinburgh GP who lured nurse to hotel room using fake Tinder profile struck off
Three-car smash on Queensferry Crossing as commuters hit with hour-long delays
Loved up Edinburgh couple get engaged at marathon finish line as crowd watches on
