Music shop void to be filled
A town centre restaurant is set to double in size after plans for an expansion were submitted to the council.
Proposals from the Nepalese Nameste Cuisine – formerly known as the Gurkha Kitchen – in Week Street, Maidstone, would see it take over the vacant Music Matters store next door.
The restaurant, close to Maidstone East Railway Station, underwent a refurb and name change in June after customers were getting confused between them and the Gurkha Kitchen, next to Maidstone West Railway Station a mile away.
The eatery currently seats 32 customers but expects to have space for an extra 20 if the plans are approved.
Director Anish Prajapati said the restaurant had to turn customers away at the end of the week and at the weekend as it was so popular.
He said: “We are okay during the week but at the weekend it’s so busy we don’t have any space.
“Music Matters decided to close during the pandemic and we spoke with the landlord about taking it over and expanding.
“We took over the restaurant at the beginning of the year when it was the Gurkha Restaurant and it already had a good reputation which has helped out. We have the same chef and staff as before which has helped.”
When asked about the current climate of restaurants in the town, with two closing without warning in the past week, Anish added: “I think the market is going back to normal and we should be okay.”
Nepalese Nameste Cuisine currently employs seven staff and is hoping to recruit two more part-time employees if plans go ahead. A decision on the plans, which would see a new toilet, seating area and expanded kitchen, is expected in September.
If given the green light, the restaurant will be closed for three weeks to fit out the former music shop and hopes to be open in October.
The restaurant is also currently closed for two weeks as it installs new flooring.