A town's oldest Indian takeaway has relaunched as a restaurant after a period of closure.

Curry Paradise at 39 Witney High Street closed during Covid and only opened for deliveries afterwards. 

But it has now reopened fully as Curry Paradise Buffet, an all you can eat buffet restaurant.

Owner Mohammed Ahiya, who runs the restaurant with his son Rafi, let the downstairs premises to Ad’s Pizza during the closure but the operators have since moved out.

Cllr Andrew Coles at the launch with Mohammed and Rafi Ahiya (Image: Cllr Andrew Coles) He said: "Slowly people are getting to know we are here. We are open every evening offering 10 dishes with rice and naan bread.

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"We have all the classic Indian dishes - chicken tikka masala, which is popular, and for the children chicken korma which is mildest and then we have dishes like jalfrezi with green chilli and raita."

Curry Paradise is the oldest takeaway in Witney and established by the family in 1980.

Mr Ahiya's children were all born in the town and all attended Wood Green School.

The restaurant was popular with former Witney MP Lord Cameron when he was prime minister who said it sold his favourite curry.

Witney town councillor Andrew Coles joined the team at the launch of the new restaurant.

He said: "It’s absolutely great to have the restaurant open again offering delicious Indian food alongside their excellent takeaway. I know many of us missed the restaurant.

"Curry Paradise is Witney’s oldest Indian food business. I’m really pleased and proud to support them and wish them every success with the new buffet restaurant. Thanks for the invite."