A pioneering Bangaldeshi businessman whose many achievements included bringing curry to Newcastle is to be commemorated with a blue plaque.
The late Wahiduddin Ahmed Kutub was a community leader and campaigner for social justice and racial equality, as well as being the owner of the Rajah restaurant, which he opened in the Cloth Market in Newcastle in 1965. It is thought to be Newcastle’s first curry restaurant and following its success Mr Kutib opened another restaurant in Whitley Bay.
“The Rajah was what many of us believe was the first restaurant introducing curry to the North East,” said Newcastle Lord Mayor Habib Rahman, who will perform the plaque unveiling on March 26 at the Newcastle Bangladeshi Association premises in Elswick Road.
