AN Indian restaurant may be closing for sit-in meals but a manager has laid out a bold vision for it to become to premier takeaway in the city.

Over the years Ashleys in The Tything has been enjoyed by generations of the same family, not to mention some international cricketing legends.

READ MORE: Ashleys Indian restaurant to become takeaway only

Monwar Khandokas, a manager at Ashleys, said customers had so far reacted with 'a lot of sadness' to the news the restaurant side of the business would close.

Diners will no longer be able to sit down for a meal from Monday, February 27.

Mr Khandokas was himself only 21 or 22 when his family took over the restaurant and feels he has grown up with the business - and seen many of his customers grow up too.

The 38-year-old said: "Customers have seen us grow up. A lot of customers we have seen come with their little children who are now towering over us. Ashleys is a family tradition. It's a generational thing."

Ashleys has been visited by Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh cricket captain, Worcester Warriors and film crews from Sky Sports.

Ashleys, which already had a well-established takeaway business producing 70 per cent of their trade, will expand the takeaway delivery range from three miles to five miles with the aim to include Worcester, Norton and Kempsey.

Mr  Khandokas said: "We're excited about the opportunities. That's the only way to look at it. It's the end of an era but we are excited about this new venture. We don't want to be run of the mill. We never were with the restaurant and we want to look at ways to make it the best possible experience. We want to be the best takeaway in Worcester, the premier Indian takeaway in the city."

This is expected to involve a refurbishment of the waiting area at Ashleys which is set to remain at its current base with a new lounge area where people can enjoy a cup of coffee and board games while they wait to collect their order.

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One of the things he hopes is that customers, past and present, will share their memories and photos of Ashleys on the business's Facebook page so they can celebrate the restaurant.

The change has been blamed partially on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, rising costs for the business, the ability to recruit and retain staff with the level of skill required and more people preferring to eat at home.

A comments book has also been left so customers can share their memories of the restaurant which has served customers for around 30 years in total.