A Blackburn businessman is to reopen his Indian restaurant after it was forced to close last year due to a rejected lease extension.  

In the next two to three weeks, Abul Kashem is set to reopen The Little Tiger on School Lane in Brinscall, five minutes away from its original site on Bolton Road.

The original site was forced to close in October 2022 after the landlord said his lease would not be extended due to a planning application for accommodation.

Abdul, who opened restaurant days before the first lockdown in 2020, said the last few months nearly broke him.

He said: “When we shut down we had nowhere to go but then the local community and councillors helped us.

“Without the help and kind words from friends and the community I wouldn’t have had the strength to open another place. I was broken.”

Abdul and the team has taken over the former Oak Tree pub and has spent the last few months renovating it.

The team plan on opening in May as a takeaway before opening fully for diners a month later.

The restaurant will be similar to the original but there will be some new items on the menu, such as tandoori starters and Bengal special masala.

Since making the announcement on Facebook, Abdul said customers and friends have been excited and supportive.

He said: “It’s great news for customers. When I posted the update it received such an amazing response from customers.

“It’s been fantastic and their comments have given me some extra strength.”

Abdul wants to thank everyone who has helped him during these difficult last few months.

Abdul said: “Renovations haven’t been easy and it has been hard work to set up the business elsewhere.

“The community helped us to find this place and still now they are supporting us with the move.

“I can’t wait to open as I have been working in restaurants all of my life. I have really been missing customers and friends.

“I want to thank the community. I am so grateful towards them. They were constantly asking for updates and offered to help in any way they could.”