Founder of Akbar’s Restaurant Group dies

Shabir Hussain, the founder of Indian restaurant group Akbar’s, has died.

A post on Akbar’s Instagram account read: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Shabir Hussain, founder of Akbar’s Restaurant Group.

“Please remember Shabir Hussain in your prayers. May Allah (SWT) grant him the highest rank in Jannah and bring peace and strength to his family during this difficult time.”

All 10 Akbar’s restaurants have closed to mark his death and will reopen on 18 October at 5pm.

Hussain opened his first Akbar’s restaurant in Bradford in 1995. The 28-cover diner has been offering authentic South Asian food ever since.

The restaurant group hires 67 chefs and 329 staff who work across its sites in Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and Glasgow.

Akbar’s has been frequented by professional boxer Amir Khan, singer and model Kimberley Walsh and former prime minister Boris Johnson.

It has won numerous awards, including at the English Curry Awards, the National Curry Awards and the Asian Restaurant Awards.

Image: Instagram/@akbars.restaurants