Can you believe the Simla have been serving their delicious, Indian cuisine to the Oswestry community for 50 years? If you’re a local who’s enjoyed the food here over the years, you will know how committed George and his team have been to deliver authentic food in the most comfortable of surroundings. And now it’s time to celebrate this milestone.
George has quite the story to tell, but he’s clear about one thing, “We’re very grateful to everyone past and present who’ve supported us.”
Although the Simla opened its doors in 1976, it wasn’t an easy ride to get to that day. George came to England as a young boy and grew up in Wellington, Telford. It was in 1969 that he first experienced working weekends in an Indian restaurant (the Shiraz), during his school days.
As George’s mother passed when he was a young boy, his uncle raised him and it was his uncle who ‘found’ the Simla in Oswestry, which at that point in 1975, the building was owned by the Co-op and had been a large menswear shop. The toilets in the restaurant were originally the changing rooms for the shop!
George recalls the day they opened. “We didn’t really need publicity because people had heard we were opening and there was a queue waiting outside to come in! Oswestry didn’t have a restaurant like us so it was a new experience. We also had a Businessman’s lunch and people would queue down the street, it was amazing.”
George and his business partners officially opened the Oswestry Simla in 1976 and traded for 25 years before parting ways. Within that time, they also opened the Llangollen Simla.
But George felt his passions lay with the Oswestry restaurant and he stayed to take over as sole owner in 2001. Of course, there have been ups and downs along the way as with any business but George attributes his drive to keep going, to his wife and family and the community who keep coming back.
That’s why George is adamant he will always give back to the community who supported him, through supporting local charities.
To celebrate 50 years, the Simla are hosting a charity event where all proceeds will go to local charities. On Thursday 25 June, there will be an evening of celebration with a three-course banquet, live entertainment and a raffle.
George is keen to make sure all customers know how grateful he is to those who’ve been through the doors over the years. “The Simla has given me and my family our life and the ability to raise a family and for that, we’re very grateful. A lot have become friends and we are so thankful for all the support.
“I also want to thank my family and staff – for them to know how grateful I am for them, their support and contribution to the Simla over the years.”
To book your place at the charity evening, call 01691 659880.
Looks have changed over the years since George started in the 70.s.
George and Julie at Buckingham Palace, celebrating George receiving the British Empire Medal.
