A NEW restaurant, offering a choice of Indian and Bangladeshi food, is set to open in Andover next week.

Sultan Indian and Bangladeshi Cuisine restaurant will open at 3B Union Street on Wednesday, March 29.

It will offer dine-in, takeaway and delivery services.

The unit in Union Street is currently being refurbished ahead of the opening.

It will replace Curry Leaf, which used to be a popular restaurant in Andover.

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Sultan Karim, who owns the restaurant, said he is really excited to open what he hopes to be the “nicest restaurant” in the region.

“I worked in the hospitality sector before I took up other jobs. I always wanted to open a restaurant and I grabbed the opportunity when Curry Leaf was up for sale.”

Mr Karim, who was working as a taxi driver and for Lloyd’s bank, said he quit the job at the bank when he bought the restaurant, but he will continue to drive taxis depending on available time.

He said his restaurant will also sell alcohol as he secured a licence from Test Valley Borough Council.

The 37-year-old said his friends and family are thrilled about the restaurant opening and he hopes to bring a variety of Indian and Bangladeshi dishes to the Andover community.

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“We are currently refitting the place before the grand opening on March 29,” he added.

The restaurant will have nine staff in the beginning – four in the kitchen, three including Mr Karim at the front, and two delivery drivers.

The head chef has more than 15 years of experience working in various Indian restaurants in Salisbury and London.

Mr Karim is hoping to hire more staff if the restaurant gets busier in the coming months.