The death was announced this week of Bradford ‘Curry King’ Shabir Hussain, the founder of Akbar’s, at the age of 56. His 10 restaurants across the North, the Midlands and Scotland closed to marked his passing, and will reopen today (Friday 18 October).

Known as ‘Bash’, the charismatic restaurateur launched Akbar’s as a 28-seater in Bradford city centre in 1995, developing it into a regional powerhouse with branches from Birmingham to Glasgow. He announced he was suffering from cancer last year but continued working, and opened his newest branch in Blackburn in February this year.

The Akbar’s flagship in Bradford is a fixture in the annual Harden’s restaurant guide, where it is hailed as a “fantastic old-school institution” serving “Indian, Asian, Balti, Pakistani dishes to suit everyone’s tastebuds” – along with “the biggest naans anywhere“.

The son of a textile worker, Shabir was born in Pakistan and settled in Yorkshire with his family at the age seven. He worked in several restaurants as a waiter, manager and chef before setting up on his own behalf, and success came quickly when he set up on his own, with innovations such as the ‘naan tree’ – a metal hanger to display his signature huge naans.

Tributes were led by Zulfiqar Karim, Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, who said: “Known as the King of Curry, Bash was more than a successful restaurateur – he was the heart and soul of every gathering, a man whose warmth, generosity, and hospitality were unmatched.

“His infectious smile and comforting hugs made everyone feel welcome, and his friendship was a treasure beyond words. Bradford has lost not only a pioneer of the curry world but also a beloved brother whose presence will be sorely missed.”