Bradford
Founder of popular Indian restaurant chain Akbar’s dies aged 56
All sites will be closed until Friday.
Tributes have been pouring in after it was announced that the founder of popular Indian restaurant chain Akbar’s has sadly died.
Shabir Hussain opened the first Akbar’s restaurant over in Bradford all the way back in 1995, before later expanding to several other major Northern cities including Leeds , Sheffield, Newcastle, Glasgow, and Manchester.
The restaurant founder’s death was announced by the company on social media this morning.
The statement sharing the sad news of his passing at the age of 56 on the official Akbar’s Instagram account reads: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Shabir Hussain, founder of Akbars Restaurant Group.
“Please remember Shabir Hussain in your prayers. May Allah grant him the highest rank in Jannah and bring peace and strength to his family during this difficult time.”
Following the announcement of his death, Akbar’s said all its restaurants – including the one in Manchester city centre – would be closed on Wednesday and Thursday as a result while staff pay their respects.
“All restaurants will now be closed and will reopen on Friday 18th October at 5pm,” the official statement concluded.
Since the news was publicly shared this morning, dozens of people have taken to the comments of the official Instagram post to pay tribute, share their condolences, and offer their support – with one reading: “A truly kind and generous man, and a very very sad loss indeed,” and another reading: “Heartbreaking to hear this beautiful gentleman is no more, but his legacy is forever.”
Another person wrote in tribute: “A huge loss. What an incredible legacy [he is] leaving behind.”
“So sad to hear this. Thank you for creating the finest lamb chops and curries,” another tribute reads, while someone else added: “So many good memories at Akbar’s, and always had a good laugh with brother Shabir. Will truly be missed.”
Read more: Team behind Things In Bread and Doh’hut to open a classic British bakery in Leeds city centre
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Bradford
EasyJet axes all flights from Leeds Bradford Airport, including routes to Paris and Barcelona
Daisy Jackson
EasyJet will stop flying from Leeds Bradford Airport, the airline has announced, affecting flights to five popular destinations.
The budget airline has confirmed that flights from the Yorkshire airport to destinations including Paris and Barcelona will cease in the coming months.
EasyJet currently also operate routes to Belfast, Malaga, and Palma, whisking travellers from Leeds to sunnier climes and city breaks.
In a statement, EasyJet confirmed that it will pull out of Leeds Bradford Airport fully on 5 January, 2027.
They said: "Following a review of our routes from Leeds Bradford Airport, we have made the decision to no longer operate flights from the airport after 5 January.
"Our focus is on maintaining and developing routes which prove most popular with customers.
"We value the relationship we have built with Leeds Bradford Airport, and we always keep options for our network under review, with the aim of providing more choice and connectivity where we see demand."
They have stressed that flights will continue to operate as normal until 5 January.
Eight other airlines currently fly from LBA, including Ryanair and Jet2.
Read more:
Featured image: Unsplash, Gabor Koszegi
Bradford
Police launch investigation into ‘unexplained’ deaths of two people in Bradford
Emily Sergeant
A police investigation has been launched following the 'unexplained' deaths of two people who were known to each other.
At around 6:55pm on 11 August, officers from West Yorkshire Police (WYP) were first called out to an address on New Stead Rise in Bradford following reports that a woman, aged 52, had been found dead, and then a further call was received at 7:14pm to reports a 59-year-old man was found dead at a business premises on Tong Park Industrial estate.
Both deaths are currently being treated as 'unexplained', WYP declared, and enquiries are being carried out with a forensic examination pending.
Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle, of the Homicide and Major Enquiry team, confirmed that the deceased are known to each other - which is why an investigation and public appeal for information has been launched.
"Sadly, we are investigating after the deaths of two people at two locations in Bradford," Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle said.
"These people are known to each other, and their deaths are being treated as unexplained. We are not currently seeking anyone else in connection with their deaths.
"Enquiries remain ongoing into establishing what has happened."
Read more: Police update after two women seriously injured in Otley Run attack
Can you help? Anyone with any information is asked to contact police via 101, or by using the live chat options at https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat, quoting log 1539 of 11 August.
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