Ricky’s on the move and out to curry favour with new indian restaurant in Hawick

Ricky Bangar, owner of the old Saffron restaurant in the town’s North Bridge Street for the past 13 years, is hoping a follow-up venture he’s lining up will prove to be bigger and better.

He’ll soon open the Punjabi Bar and Grill in the former Alchemy film initiative office at 39 to 41 High Street after spending the past year having it fully renovated.

The 42-year-old said: “This new restaurant is double the size of the old Saffron one which I shut down last month.

“We can take about 44 diners right now, but that can be easily extended to hold lots more.

“It’ll be a fully licensed bar and grill with a rustic indian feel. I want it to have a shabby chic look.

“It was Farmfoods then it was home to Alchemy, so I’ve given it a total revamp inside and out.

“It’s been 11 months of hard work and a busy time running the old Saffron restaurant until a couple of weeks ago.”

He added: “I really want to thank my good and loyal friends from the bottom of my heart for their support.

“I have the most loyal customers, and they’ve supported me so well over the past 13 years.

“I look forward to welcoming them to our new bigger and better premises.”

With its inside renovation already complete, Ricky is just waiting on some final frontage to be put in place before announcing an opening date.

He’s assuring returning customers that while his new restaurant might boast a new name and a completely different look, the same quality of service is guaranteed.

“The same chefs will be rolled over into the new business,” he said.

“I have eight full and part-time staff in total, and with this new premises I could soon be doubling that to add another six to eight staff in the near future.

“I will be employing a few Hawick people too.”

Ricky, originally from Edinburgh but now settled in Hawick with his nine-year-old daughter, will be working front of house.