An Oakham curry house re-opens next week for take-aways and deliveries.

Originally, the Everest Lounge in Church Street only opened for a few days in March before closing due to the coronavirus crisis.

But it will be back in business on Thursday June 17 for take-outs and deliveries.

The family-run venture is owned by Giri Bhanadari and is 'related' to the Gurkha Oven in Stamford.

Giri's brother-in-law Paul Sharma told Oakham Nub news that almost £200,000 had been spent on the new restaurant, which was previously an Italian restaurant called the Merry Monk.

Such renovation work included a new kitchen fit out to account for the new style of cooking, with tandoori ovens, etc.

Paul said: "We had to do a lot of refurbishment to create an Indian restaurant. It's not only Indian, we are basically Nepalese. It's a Gurkha restaurant. We do Himalayan food. It's a fusion of Indian and Nepalese. Some of our specialities are only found in Nepal."

To add to the upmarket ambience, Paul says the restaurant has Suman Kc as head chef, who previously worked in Michelin starred restaurants in London.

The business only opened on March 17 but had to close on March 20 due to the pandemic.

Paul left it so long to re-open as a take-away, with a delivery service, to ensure everything is perfect.

He continued: "I wanted to get a good, consistent, quality of food."

In addition to take-aways, the Everest Lounge also offers Oakham Ales and Nepalese Beer.

A ten per cent discount will apply to all orders during June. NHS staff and services staff will also be entitled to a permanent ten per cent discount to reflect support for their work during the pandemic and that Paul's father served as an engineer in the Gurkha Regiment.

Finally, when such things can open, the Everest Lounge will also operate a 12-bedroomed hotel called the Oakham Hotel.