A Bradford businessman is planning to launch a specialist restaurant to offer diners "something a little bit different" in the heart of the city centre.

Thakorlal Patel has unveiled plans for an vegetarian Indian restaurant in a large ground-floor unit at the Aldermanbury end of Bradford's crescent-shaped Centenary Square development.

Regeneration bosses say the new restaurant, called the Tulsi, will be a reflection of the city's vibrancy and originality.

The Centenary Square development is already home to the Chino Thai restaurant, Fusia Noodle bar, Lloyds bar, Starbucks and the Markaz Restaurant and Shisha Lounge, while the world-renowned Impressions Gallery is set to open on Saturday, July 21.

Mr Patel and his wife, Indilaben Patel, have submitted a licence application for their restaurant, which is scheduled to open in late summer.

The couple have requested permission for live and recorded music, dance performances, late night refreshment and sale of alcohol.

Mr Patel said: "It's Indian vegetarian, so it's unusual because there aren't any other big vegetarian restaurants anywhere near here. There are some in London and Leicester.

"It's something different and something new coming to the city centre. It's purely vegetarian and there will be no animal fats or anything like that.

"We are hoping to open some time in August or September.

"We need vegetarian restaurants in our days when people are more conscious about vegetarian food. There's so much demand and interest from the public for vegetarian recipes. We will be concentrating on quality.

"We will be having music and a licensed bar as well."

Mr Patel is planning to employ ten to 15 staff at the restaurant. There will be a lunchtime and evening buffet and an a la carte menu.

If the licence application is granted, the restaurant will be open until 2am every day of the week. People have until Tuesday, June 12, to submit their support or objections to Bradford Council's licensing team.

Stephen Talboys, director of regeneration for Bradford Centre Regeneration (BCR), said: "The addition of the new Tulsi restaurant is a real reflection of Bradford's vibrancy and originality."

Mr Talboys, who joined BCR when Marc Cole left at the start of this year, said the new restaurant also indicated growing confidence from investors in the city.

He said: "Centenary Square has a diverse choice of restaurants, bars and cafés which will frame the future Park at the Heart and contribute to making Bradford a great northern city."

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