A PIONEERING Bradford Asian restaurant owner has invested around £2 million rebuilding a new venue on the site of the original.

The new Clifton Restaurant complex in Manningham has created 30 jobs and its owner hopes iut will inspire other entrepreneurs to invest and create local employment.

The original restaurant was opened in 1968 by Abdul Rashid as one of Bradford's first curry houses .

The new venue has three floors catering for around 500 diners . Its lounges are named after mountain ranges in the Gilgit Balistan region of Kashmir. The ground floor houses the Gilgit Lounge, the Hunza Lounge is on the first floor and the Astore Lounge on the second floor with panoramic views of Bradford.

Mr Rashid has recruited four top chefs specialising in Kashmiri cuisine.

Executive chef Haji Ramzam has prepared Eastern foods on the QE2 cruise liner and runs tutorials at Bradford College; Afzal Baig has worked at the Ritz in Paris and Sahib Aurangzeb was head chef for the Intercontinental hotel group.

The restaurant is managed by Bradfordian Naeen Shah.

Abdul Rashid said: "This is where I first opened my restaurant in 1968, I have reopened it on the same spot and hope this new venture will inspire others to invests in the area and reduce unemployment. "

Meanwhile, former Coronation Street star Steve Arnold, who played Ashley Peacock, will open a new £750,000 Italian restaurant in Cross Hills, near Keighley, tonight (WED).

The new venue, 22 The Square, has created 25 jobs and is the second restaurant of the same name to be opened by owners Raj Panesar and Anthony Bickers who launched their venture in Northowram, Halifax, in 2009.

They bought the former Bella Napoli restaurant in Crosshills, which has undergone a complete refit, including renovating a former laundry room into a jazz wine bar, and the new restaurant seats 130 diners.

The business partners , who are backed by Lloyds bank. are looking to open five new restaurants over the next five years.

Raj Panesar said: “We’re looking forward to opening a new restaurant and offering people in Cross Hills and its surrounding areas, the locally sourced, fine food we’ve become renowned for. We’re already very busy for November, December and January, with bookings still coming in for the New Year.

Ian Whitworth, relationship manager at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “22 The Square is an ambitious business with a firm vision for long-term growth, and Raj and his team have done a brilliant job in creating a high-profile establishment for the local community to enjoy.