Asian food chain's pounds 2m Brum launch; DINING: Dozens of jobs to be created by opening.

Byline: Greame Brown

An Asian food chain is investing almost pounds 2 million in a restaurant in Birmingham which will create dozens of jobs.

Yorkshire firm Akbar's has revealed it plans to open its first restaurant outside the North of England after securing a deal for premises in Hagley Road, Edgbaston.

The new restaurant will create 55 jobs, seat 300 diners and have a private function suite that will be able cater for up to 200 guests.

Managing director Shabir Hussain said the move to Birmingham was an exciting opportunity for Akbar's, which has restaurants throughout the North, including Leeds, Manchester, York, Sheffield and Middlesbrough.

Mr Hussain said: "Our expansion into Birmingham is an exciting one.

"It already has an excellent reputation for within such a vibrant city restaurant scene."

24 after a deal on the premises was struck by Yorkshire law firm Gordons.

A spokesman for the restaurant chain said the near pounds 2 million investment was designed to create a flagship outlet for the company. The move into the city comes after a Birmingham City Council campaign to protect the famous balti name by preventing Indian restaurants outside the city from using it.

If the move did go ahead it would give the balti, which was invented in the 1970s, similar protection to Champagne and Wensleydale cheese.

Commercial property solicitor Simon Mydlowski and regulatory solicitor Satpal Roth provided counsel on the restaurant's lease and licensing agreements.

Mr Mydlowski said: "The expansion of Akbar's is testimony to the vision and dedication of Shabir and his team."

CAPTION(S):

Flagship: Akbar's managing director Shabir Hussain with solicitors Simon Mydlowski and Satpal Roth.