Punjabi Grill boss hopes revised Hawick bid will curry favour

An Indian restaurant owner is stepping up his efforts to convince worried residents of nearby flats that a planned new eatery would not pose a health and safety risk to them.
39 to 41 Hawick High Street.39 to 41 Hawick High Street.
39 to 41 Hawick High Street.

Raj Kumar, owner of the Punjabi Grill in Birmingham, withdrew an application for a new venture at the former Farmfoods outlet at 39 to 41 Hawick High Street earlier this month, as reported in the Southern.

That move came after people living in flats in and around the proposed restaurant raised concerns over potential for the smell of spicy foods getting into their homes and over safety fears in the event of a fire at the property.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

His application has now been resubmitted, however, with evidence added outlining measures to be taken to make the business safe.

Mr Kumar has pledged to work closely with the community and recruit up to eight people locally to help support its business operations.

He accepts there is potential for odour and noise impacting on the surrounding properties from the extraction system for the kitchen if it were incorrectly located. However, he says efforts would be made to address such problems.

He said: “A lot of thought has been put into the specification and location of the extraction system and flue.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The opening hours are 5pm to 10pm Monday to Sunday, which will reduce the times at which a noise nuisance could occur.

“The extraction system will have duct pipework protruding through the roof line on the single-storey section of the building at the rear of the premises where the kitchen will be located.

“No part of the flue will be located on any adjacent structures or walls. The fan will be internally mounted within the building to minimise noise from the extraction system.

“The extraction duct and air outlet are designed to ensure the required air dispersion prevents any odours travelling to neighbouring properties.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“However, in the event of any unprecedented or prolonged odour issues, an odour neutraliser can be installed as a part to supplement the extraction system.”

Mr Kumar said the restaurant will be secured with an intruder alarm to secure and safeguard the property.

He adds: “The property will also be equipped with an internal 24-hour CCTV surveillance system to ensure the property is protected continuously.

“The restaurant will be installed with smoke detection across the restaurant and heat detection within the kitchen.

“The fire exit for the bar and restaurant is through the front-access doors, and a second fire exit point for the kitchen will be installed.”