A new flavour to the Curry Mile

By Nina Goswami
BBC Manchester

Afghan Café and Restaurant

The strip of Wilmslow Road that slices through Rusholme has been known as the 'Curry Mile' for years.

With a third of its restaurants now serving Middle Eastern cuisine though, is it time it was called the 'Kebab Mile' instead?

The Afghan Café is one of the newest Middle Eastern restaurants, having opened in 2008.

The restaurant's director, Aminullah Raoufi, said he could not think of anywhere better to start his venture.

According to Aminullah, Rusholme is best for his restaurant because the culture of the area fits well with his requirements.

"This area was better for us than the city centre as I didn't want to have to sell alcohol and you would need to in the centre to survive. Here, there's already a culture set by other Asians, such as the Pakistanis, so it is not expected that you have to sell drink."

That wasn't Aminullah's only reason for wanting to set up along Wilmslow Road, as he was also well aware of the fact that the 'Curry Mile' was already attracting customers with a palate for similar foods.

"We offer something different from Indian food, providing choice and hopefully customers for us."

A 'commonality of culture'

Dr Virinder Kalra, a senior sociology lecturer at the University of Manchester, says that it's not surprising that in recent years, many Middle Eastern people had moved to Rusholme, as the "commonality of culture", such as religion, makes it easier for particular groups of people to settle together.

In many ways, it's very good for the area, as it provides more choice and more unique foods to try Abdul Akhtar, Sanam Sweet House

"It is a reason why the Curry Mile is currently being transformed by the presence of Iranian, Kurdish, Lebanese and other Middle Eastern influences," explains Dr Karla.

Abdul Akhtar, co-owner of Sanam Sweet House and Indian Restaurant - which opened in 1968 - says that the increasing presence of different cultures is coupled with the younger generation not being interested in carrying on their family business.

He says that the issue of the children of restaurateurs taking up other professions is one that he is facing himself.

"They want to follow a different career path, which is fine as we provided them with the education, but it does leave us with no-one to run the business."

'More choice and more unique foods'

In total, 22 food outlets have closed on the 'Curry Mile' in the last four years, according to information provided by Manchester City Council. Nine were Indian restaurants, four Middle Eastern, one Chinese, one Mediterranean and the rest were general fast food outlets.

Sanam Sweet House and Indian Restaurant

The documents show that all of them have been replaced by another restaurant or café, though it's not been a case of like-for-like. For example, one of the closures, the curry house Shezan, has been replaced by a modern fusion bar called the Dream Café.

The new competition, however, does not phase 'Curry Mile' veteran Abdul.

"Every time a business is sold, Middle Eastern people have been buying them, be it jewellers or a fashion shop, and then turns it into a restaurant.

"In many ways, it's very good for the area, as it provides more choice and more unique foods to try, so I'm not worried," he said.

Whether it is more 'Curry' or 'Kebab Mile' at the moment is arguable, but one thing is certain - the changes to Rusholme make it an even better place than before to give your taste buds a treat.