Café Aladdins ready to rise like a phoenix from the flames

Perth’s much-loved Indian eatery on track to reopen after devastating blaze

A Perth restaurateur is working hard to fulfil his promise of seeing one of the city’s most popular takeaways rise from the ashes.

Fire raged through Café Aladdins in West Mains Avenue in September last year, leaving the business a blackened ruin.

The Indian eatery had been a favourite with residents for years and the destruction was a devastating blow to both diners and owner Imran Mohammed.

He rushed to the restaurant after the alarm was raised but could only watch in horror as the roof sagged and collapsed and flames consumed the building.

Never one to be defeated, Mr Mohammed was promising to be back within weeks – even as he and family members picked through the wreckage.

He said at the time: “It happened right in front of my eyes. It was devastating.

“It looks terrible right now but we won’t be missing for too long. If we get the answers we are looking for we could even be back in eight weeks.”

It has taken a little longer than that to get things back on track but progress is finally being made following the conclusion of talks with loss adjustors.

A planning application has now been submitted to Perth and Kinross Council for the reinstatement of the takeaway.

The design and scale of the business should match that of the original unit, with the proposals unlikely to fall foul of planners.

For the past 10 months, the family has kept the Café Aladdins name alive by sharing premises with another business, the Nawab, in Perth’s South Methven Street.

The two have co-existed, with the same kitchen preparing meals for both takeaway offerings and the Nawab’s sit-in dining.

In the wake of last year’s fire, fans of Café Aladdins took to social media to bemoan the loss of the takeaway.

Some questioned where they would turn to following its loss.

Those fans will now be looking forward to its speedy return.

The application for reinstatement of the takeaway is being considered by planning officials.

Neighbouring homes and businesses have been notified.

It looks terrible right now but we won’t be missing for too long. SHOP OWNER IMRAN MOHAMMED

Picture: Steve MacDougall. Imran Mohammed taking a look at the damage inside his business premises after the fire last year.