South Shields Indian restaurant named best in South Tyneside in Curry Life Awards

Indian Brasserie in South Shields has won a top prize at the national Curry Life Awards.

The eatery won the ‘best restaurant’ category for South Tyneside at the annual industry awards in London.

More than 800 people attended the gala evening hosted by TV presenters Cathy Newman and Adam Shaw.

South Shields is famous for the Ocean Road Curry Mile with more than 17 Indian restaurants along the road.

Indian Brasserie is headed by Naim Rahman whose family has run the restaurant since 1986.

Before taking charge of Indian Brasserie, Naim managed a number of other restaurants in the area.

He said: “There is a lot of competition, but we get customers from as far afield as Gateshead and Sunderland coming to dine here.

“Every night is a special night offering some sort of deal and we pride ourselves on consistency. We’ve been here a long time and customer loyalty has seen us through the tough times.”

Syed Belal Ahmed, editor of Curry Life Magazine, which organises the Curry Life Awards, added: “We have been championing the British curry cuisine for many years and despite being hit hard by several recessions, it has managed to survive and flourish.

“There are pressing issues that need to be resolved, such as relaxing overseas work permits and a sensible discussion about spiralling business rates, but the awards ceremony was about recognition and celebration of much loved British curry.”