NEWS: Curry Castastrophe

By MARK McLAUGHLIN
Edinburgh Evening News
9 February 2010

THE future of one of the Capital's best-known curry houses is in doubt after it closed down in the wake of its alcohol licence being suspended.

The award-winning Roti, on Morrison Street, was banned from selling alcohol following two inspections which found fire exits persistently blocked or bolted shut, there were too few exit signs and inadequate toilet facilities.

Roti was once one of the Capital's most prestigious Indian restaurants. However, its founder, top city chef Tony Singh, relinquished control of the business in 2008 in favour of a more modest set-up under cousin Ryan Singh.

The building was inspected shortly after Ryan Singh, dubbed the "Curry King of Glasgow" for his popular west coast restaurant Mr Singh's India, took control in October 2008 and he was ordered to rectify the problems or face losing his licence.

A second inspection in November last year found the problems still outstanding and Roti's owners were called before the licensing board last month to defend their licence.

Convener Marjorie Thomas said: "Nobody turned up and no representations were received so their licence remains suspended."

A member of staff at nearby Accha Oriental Foods, which has supplied Roti in the past, confirmed that the restaurant has been closed for at least two weeks.

It is unclear who currently operates the restaurant.

Although Ryan Singh was publicly named as successor when Tony resigned as chef-director in 2008, the business side of the restaurant actually passed to a pair of Glasgow businessmen who are no longer involved.

Roti also faces being struck off the Companies House register of business after it failed to file its accounts on time.

A Companies House analyst said: "The day after the proposal to strike off was reported in the Edinburgh Gazette someone lodged an objection and the proposal has been suspended for the time being. This basically means someone has an interest in keeping the company going."

Roti was named best Indian restaurant in Scotland at the Scottish Restaurant Awards 2008 during a bumper year for Tony Singh, who also won chef of the year in the Catering in Scotland Excellence Awards and the Scottish Curry Awards.

He still runs the popular Oloroso and Tony's Table restaurants elsewhere in the city.

However, Ryan Singh failed to emulate his cousin's success and Roti failed to secure a nomination in any of the major catering competitions last year.

The trouble at Roti comes on the back of a tough start to the year for Edinburgh restaurants.

Abstract, on Castle Terrace, closed last month after just three years in business,

while award-winning burger chain Wannaburger also closed its High Street branch last month after being sold to Gold Brothers.

Neither Tony nor Ryan Singh could be contacted for comment.