A MUCH loved restaurant which starred on a hit Channel 4 show is set to close after 50 years.
Dipna’s father, Gulu, opened the Brilliant restaurant in Southall back in 1975.
The West London restaurant, which serves Punjabi cuisine infused with Kenyan influences, will be closing its doors for the final time on April 7.
But there will be one last bash on April 4 with a closing night dinner showcasing the Brilliant’s signature dishes.
Fans can savour masala chicken, karahi gosht and samosa chaat for one last time.
Dipna said: “It may be the end of an era for Brilliant Southall, but after 50 years, the Brilliant brand has gained an iconic status in Indian dining.
“We have to ensure that it is constantly evolving to both reflect the preferences of diners, and the food I love to eat, so there’s something delicious for everyone.”
The popular restaurant even featured on Channel 4 during the height of its popularity.
The long-running, family-owned restaurant appeared in Gordon Ramsay’s series, which aims to find the best local restaurants in Britan, in 2013.
The eaterie in Western Road even had Gordon himself helping out in the kitchens.
The top chef had previously worked with Brilliant staff in the past to get hands-on knowledge of the best ways to cook and serve Indian food.
Mr Anand said at the time: “The restaurant got extremely busy but he managed to get his dishes out on time.
“He was absolutely fantastic working in the kitchen.
“He said this was one of the best organised Indian restaurants he had ever seen and added he loved the food.”
The Brilliant brand was founded in the 1950s by Anand’s grandfather, Bishen Dass Anand.
Its first site was a restaurant, nightclub and hotel in Kenya, which was followed by the launch of a catering business.
In 1973, the family moved to the UK.
Two years later, sons Kewal and Gulu Anand opened the first Brilliant restaurant on Western Road in Southall.
Over the years, it has welcomed several high-profile guests, including His Majesty the King.
Hospitality industry struggles
Many food and drink businesses have faced significant challenges recently, as the rising cost of living has led to a decline in dining out.
After struggling to recover from the impact of the pandemic, many establishments were then hit with soaring energy bills and mounting inflationary pressures.
This has forced several well-known chains to shut locations, with big brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s among those affected.
Craig Rachel, director at financial advisory firm AlixPartners, outlined the key factors that have driven businesses to close sites last year, in 2024.
He said: “Restaurants have seen the accumulation of external pressures in 2024, including rising utility costs, food prices and labour costs.
“Although some of these factors have stabilised over recent months, the overall impact is significant and will be exacerbated again in 2025 following the budget announcements, and this has all affected profitability.
“Some restaurant groups have been able to mitigate this to a certain extent through operational efficiencies and pricing, but consumer spending in the sector is under pressure meaning price measures are often unable to fully bridge the gap.”
