THE owner of a popular Bridgwater restaurant has been recognised for helping people in need in their community.

Razaul Karim and his team at The Spice Club in Eastover have been making food deliveries to vulnerable people, offering discounts to NHS staff and care workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now the restaurant has been honoured with special recognition by leading national curry trade magazine Curry Life for its effort.

Karim Miah, general manager of Spice Club, said: "During this pandemic we were delighted to deliver hundreds of free meals to Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital and Bridgewater Community Hospital. "We have also supported with free meals at the Bridgewater Police Station and at St. John's Ambulance Service as all of them are doing commendable work to during this unprecedented time."

Syed Nahas Pasha, editor in chief of Curry Life, said he was inspired to start the Local Covid Curry Hero Initiative.

“Despite the unprecedented problems posed by the present pandemic, these curry houses have gone out of their way to be almost a fourth emergency service to vulnerable people," Syed said.

“Their businesses and livelihoods have been severely impacted, but this has not stopped them offering a helping hand to the most needy in our society at a time of crisis.

“During Covid 19, many Curry Houses have just managed to keep their heads above the water – absorbing the costs of closures, reduced capacity and Covid-19 compliance – many often putting their own lives at risk, as they themselves come largely from vulnerable BAME communities.

“Their efforts really deserve to be recognised as truly heroic-and we are delighted to be able to mark their magnificent contributions in this way.”