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Europe's
Curry King Charan Gill MBE, star of hit Channel 4 TV series The
Secret Millionaire, has been revealed as the saviour of the popular
Quayside Restaurant & Leisure Centre at Fisherrow Harbour,
Musselburgh.
When the
Fisherrow and Musselburgh Co-operative Society concluded recently
that the Quayside was placing an unsustainable drain on its
resources, it launched a nationwide search for a 'white knight' to
take over the facility, safeguarding its future for the local
community, together with its 40 jobs. That search ended recently when
Mr Gill bought the Quayside for an undisclosed seven figure sum.
Tom Lees,
chief executive of the Fisherrow and Musselburgh Co-operative
Society, said, "Our board recognised that the ongoing management
of the Quayside required the expertise and financial commitment of an
operator with a successful track record in that sector - and Charan
certainly has all the qualities required to build on the Quayside's
burgeoning popularity.
"We are
delighted with this deal, which safeguards the future of a tremendous
facility that benefits greatly the local community and contributes to
the local economy by attracting a wide range of weddings, conferences
and other functions into Musselburgh."
Situated just
five miles from the centre of Edinburgh on the A1 at the picturesque
harbour of Fisherrow in Musselburgh, overlooking the Firth of Forth,
it's not hard to see what attracted Charan to the Quayside.
He said,
"Set within a modern, purpose-built building in a beautiful
location, I was struck immediately by the tremendous growth potential
inherent in this wonderful facility. That's why, in addition to
simply safeguarding the Quayside's future, I now plan to examine
opportunities to invest financially in its facilities to enhance its
existing attractions."
Recently
extended facilities already include a 20m leisure pool, spa, steam
room, sauna, crèche, treatment room, fully equipped air
conditioned gym and exercise studio. And with three function suites,
'The Quayside' offers excellent facilities for conferences, seminars,
training events and meetings for groups up to 200 people.
Said Charan,
"The health and leisure club is a really great facility, with
good staff and a loyal membership. I'm delighted that the locals have
been so supportive of the change of ownership at the Quayside and am
looking forward to enhancing our offering. One of my first changes
will be the introduction of new menus into the restaurant which,
given its picturesque setting, has such great potential as a
destination venue throughout the week and especially at
weekends."
Charan Gill
MBE has received many prestigious rewards in recognition of his
business achievements over the years, including an Honorary Doctorate
from the University of Paisley and Asian Entrepreneur of the Year. He
sold his Harlequin Indian restaurant empire in a multimillion-pound
deal in 2005 and his best-selling autobiography, 'Tikka Look at me Now',
was published last year.
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