New Indian takeaway opens in former Bristol betting shop

A new Indian takeaway has opened in a former betting shop in south Bristol.

Black Peppers on Belland Drive in Whitchurch has been two and half years in the making - the length of time the owners say they have had to wait for the council to grant them a licence to convert the premises. 

The takeaway is run by Shizon Miah, a plumber by trade, in partnership with Tanveer Rahman, who also owns the Paprika restaurant in Whitchurch and Veer Raj in Knowle.           

Due to a 'massive' demand for takeaway and deliveries - which the award-winning Paprika doesn’t do - the two decided there was a need for it in the area. 

Black Peppers has a team of four chefs, led by head chef 'Naz', who used to run Sweet Chillies, an Indian restaurant in Midsomer Norton, for 15 years.         

“We managed to head hunt him, he’s a perfect fit for our business; a contemporary chef with a new style of dishes,” said Shizon.    

“One of the most popular dishes here is the jalapeño kufta, which you will not see in any other menu.   

“I love the dish and every person I recommended it to, they come back and say it’s a banging dish.”  

The medium to hot spiced curry (£9.95) is cooked with meatballs, a choice of chicken or lamb and jalapeño peppers finished in a mustard and sweet chilli sauce. 

Shizon, who lives in Easton, has been a plumber for the past decade, previously running a takeaway in Bradley Stoke until 2011.        

“I did the plumbing here and that was my last job,” he added.  

“I just got bored and thought this is not me. I wanted to be a team player again and in a business like this you work as a team.”         

The takeaway has a restaurant look and modern feel, with purple and white decor in the front, and a kitchen in the back which includes a tandoori oven.  

As well as Black Peppers specials from £9.50, the takeaway serves tandoori dishes, house classics and biryani dishes from £8.95.