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Tributes paid as founder of popular Indian restaurant chain Akbar’s dies aged 56

All sites will be closed until Friday.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 16th October 2024

Tributes have been pouring in after it was announced that the founder of popular Indian restaurant chain Akbar’s has sadly died.

Shabir Hussain opened the first Akbar’s restaurant over in Bradford all the way back in 1995, before later expanding to several other major Northern cities including Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle, Glasgow, and of course, here in Manchester.

The restaurant founder’s death was announced by the company on social media this morning.

The statement sharing the sad news of his passing at the age of 56 on the official Akbar’s Instagram account reads: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Shabir Hussain, founder of Akbars Restaurant Group.

“Please remember Shabir Hussain in your prayers. May Allah grant him the highest rank in Jannah and bring peace and strength to his family during this difficult time.”

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Following the announcement of his death, Akbar’s said all its restaurants – including the one in Manchester city centre – would be closed on Wednesday and Thursday as a result while staff pay their respects.

“All restaurants will now be closed and will reopen on Friday 18th October at 5pm,” the official statement concluded.

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Since the news was publicly shared this morning, dozens of people have taken to the comments of the official Instagram post to pay tribute, share their condolences, and offer their support – with one reading: “A truly kind and generous man, and a very very sad loss indeed,” and another reading: “Heartbreaking to hear this beautiful gentleman is no more, but his legacy is forever.”

Another person wrote in tribute: “A huge loss. What an incredible legacy [he is] leaving behind.”

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“So sad to hear this. Thank you for creating the finest lamb chops and curries,” another tribute reads, while someone else added: “So many good memories at Akbar’s, and always had a good laugh with brother Shabir. Will truly be missed.”

Featured Image – The Manc Group

News

Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre

Police are trying to track down the family of a man who died after being found unresponsive outside the Palace Theatre in Manchester.

The man, who has now been named as Jonathan Bernard Carroll, was seen outside the city centre theatre at around 6.30am on Tuesday 12 November.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and Mr Carroll was taken to hospital.

Tragically, the 47-year-old passed away a short time later.

A large cordon was in place on Whitworth Street and Oxford Road while police and security attended the incident.

Greater Manchester Police are now appealing to find his next of kin.

It’s believed that he resided in the Salford area of Greater Manchester.

Anyone with any information should contact the Coroner’s Office on 0161 856 1376.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

News

Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.

As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.

Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.

The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.

Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.  

Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.

The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.

Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.

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“Help us be a lifeline to organisations on the frontline,” Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity urged in it’s public appeal for donations.

You can help make sure ‘A Bed Every Night’ is a reality for all by donating here.

Featured Image – EthelRedThePetrolHead (via Flickr)

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