‘We’ll be feeding souls’

A RESTAURANT, which gives some of its takings to a Hinckley charity, will reopen with a new way of operating.

Lilu, in Highcross Street, Leicester, has been closed since the end of August.

Owners Pratik and Bee Master had launched the shop News and Deli six months previously.

They said they had been keeping a lot of plates spinning to make both businesses work and needed to give Lilu a holiday to get some downtime. The restaurant is reopening in the middle of next month.

“We really enjoy being in the shop and one of the things that makes us love being here is that we feel as though we are helping people,” said Pratik.

“Lilu offers great food and great service. It’s a really great restaurant, but we want to do more for the community.”

He said a percentage of the restaurant takings will go to the Feed The Hungry charity, in Hinckley.

“We know the restaurant turns a profit, so if we can use that to help others, then why wouldn’t we?

“From the customers’ point of view, not only will they be feeding their tummies, they’ll be feeding their soul.”

The restaurant was originally due to reopen in November but Pratik said he was keen to have everything in place with the charity to enable it to be involved from the off.

Lilu will open on Fridays and Saturdays only, and will offer the same menu as was previously available - with a few additions.

Diners will pay the same amount for their food, with the money donated to the charity coming from the restaurant’s profits.

Pratik said: “The world has become quite selfish and if we want to make a change, that has to begin with us – and we have to do it now.”