A WELL-KNOWN Indian restaurant near York has been put on the market – with an asking price of over £650k.

The Jinnah branch in Flaxton has been put on the market after decades in the location.

Alongside this branch, Jinah also operates throughout Yorkshire, including The Viceroy, in Monkgate, York, and in Harrogate, Selby, Bradford, and Shipley.

The branch in Flaxton, located on the A64, between York and Malton, has been put up for sale with an asking price of £675,000.

Gazette & Herald:  Jinnah in Flaxton Jinnah in Flaxton (Image: Barry Crux)

Saleem Akhtar, who owns the business, said he took the decision to put the restaurant on the market as the running of it became too difficult when balancing the other venues.

“It was very popular and very successful… but with the opening of different branches it just wasn’t the same,” he said.

Mr Akhtar said a “fresh pair of hands” is now needed for the venue.

The business was first opened by Mr Akhtar in 1997, but he had been in York since 1991 prior to this.

Mr Akhtar now lives in Bradford and said the operating of the restaurant meant he was travelling over 50 miles for each visit to the Flaxton branch, which was unsustainable.

Gazette & Herald: Saleem Akhtar at his Bradford restaurant, which has started serving Sunday roastsSaleem Akhtar at his Bradford restaurant, which has started serving Sunday roasts (Image: Newsquest)

The restaurant in Flaxton has been put on the market by Barry Crux Estate Agents, who are working on the sale jointly with Mark Brearley and Company.

The site extends to approximately to 1.2 acres and includes a large internal trading area and kitchen.

A spokesperson for Barry Crux said: “(Jinnah) has traded very successfully as an Indian restaurant together with a takeaway facility for all these years.

Gazette & Herald: The site's kitchenThe site's kitchen (Image: Barry Crux)

“The sale has come about as a result of our client’s desire to reposition his business interests.”

They explained that the ‘Jinnah’ trading brand will be specifically excluded from the sale.

The spokesperson went on to say: “Clearly the property could be used for any restaurant or similar use without any difficulty although it will need to be refurbished and re-branded if it is not to be an Indian or similar type.

Gazette & Herald: Inside JinnahInside Jinnah (Image: Barry Crux)

Gazette & Herald: Inside JinnahInside Jinnah (Image: Barry Crux)

“The property could revert to being a pub (as it was before Jinnah took it over) subject to planning consent.”

On the location of the site, the spokesperson added: “The property and site is very suitable for numerous other uses given its prominent position on the A64 with high traffic flows, and being very easily found.

Gazette & Herald: Outside JinnahOutside Jinnah (Image: Barry Crux)

“The property could become a large retail outlet, offices or similar without too much difficulty as internally the main space is largely open plan.

“Other uses are likely to require planning consent.”

More information on the sale can be found on Barry Crux's website.