A stricken restaurateur has thanked the community for rallying round as he bids to see one of his businesses rise from the ashes.
Café Aladdin’s was one of Perth’s most popular Indian takeaways but it burnt to the ground following a ferocious fire a fortnight ago.
Owners had hoped to be back in business at West Mains Avenue within a matter of weeks but that ambitious timescale has slipped.
The delay has been a blow to Imran Mohammed and his family but he has been helped by the support of loyal customers.
The Café Aladdin’s team have moved into temporary city centre premises while they plot their return to the Western Edge and have been delighted by the response.
Mr Mohamed said: “It is taking longer than I had expected and hoped to get back up and running.
“The intention is still to be back at the Western Edge as soon as possible but it may take three to four months rather than the three to four weeks I had initially predicted.
“That is a shame, but in the meantime we have temporarily moved into new premises at 65 South Methven Street.
“We have already seen some of our Western Edge customers join us there. They have been very supportive.”
Flames tore through the much-loved takeaway on September 22 as Mr Mohammed looked on in horror.
From the roof space, it swiftly spread to the rest of the business as fire and rescue units from across Tayside arrived.
They were able to prevent to the blaze from spreading to adjacent businesses but were unable to prevent Aladdin’s from being razed to the ground.
Mr Mohammed and his team picked through the wreckage the following day and made bold predictions about a speedy return.
It will now take longer than anticipated, with the takeaway likely to be absent from West mains Avenue until the New Year at the earliest.
Loyal customers expressed their sadness in the aftermath of the fire and spoke of their hopes to see the business back up and running as swiftly as possible.
A swift investigation by police officers and fire chiefs concluded that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the fire.
