"It has been and will be a very difficult time for us"
Cafe Spice Namaste is the Indian restaurant owned by Cyrus Todiwala and his wife Pervin. It has been on Prescot Street, east London since 1995 but they will now close the restaurant and relocate.
They have occupied the Grade II-listed building for 25 years.
The pair are set to close their renowned restaurant at the end of January 2021 before moving to new premises.
The restaurant has held a Michelin BIB Gourmand since the award was created in 1998.
Cyrus said: “After 25 years, the time has come to bid goodbye to our beloved Grade II-listed former magistrates court in Prescot Street.
“It has been and will be a very difficult time for us, but there is hope too.
“Our anniversary falls on the Festival of Diwali where light overcomes darkness and brings hope over gloom.
“Early in the New Year, Cafe Spice Namaste will be moving to different premises, not too far away.”
To assist with the transition, three of the restaurant’s most loyal customers launched a Friends of Cafe Spice Namaste appeal on November 14, 2020.
Nick Gooding, John Minton and Howard Townson released a message explaining how much the restaurant has enriched their lives over the years.
They also highlighted the difficulties faced by restauranteurs due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
They said: “We have been patrons of Cafe Spice Namaste for well over 25 years going back to the earlier Namaste (the Todiwala’s first restaurant in Ailie Street).
“We have always found it an exceptional restaurant, not just for its first-class food but because of the warm-hearted welcome and genuine hospitality which we think second to none.
“Cyrus, Pervin and all their staff have always treated us not only as welcome guests but as their good friends. We are sure that many of you have found the same.
“Now times are hard for them all. This is true in the restaurant trade generally and most are struggling to survive.”
“The Cafe Spice Namaste team are simultaneously facing other difficulties which, despite their conviction to ride out the Covid storm, are making it hard for them to go forward.
“The thought of life without Cafe Spice namaste fills us with dismay! So, we have decided to offer what may be small help but, we hope, large encouragement by setting up a ‘Friends of Cafe Spice Namaste’ collection.
“Please do join us in helping them. Cafe Spice Namaste has enriched our lives and we want it to continue to do so.”
The trio revealed that they would each be donating £100.
Cyrus expressed his gratitude to the three men.
“We are extremely grateful to Nick, John and Howard who came up with the idea to launch a Friends of Cafe Spice fund.
“Theirs is an incredible gesture, which has bowled us over. We can only say at this point a humble ‘thank you’ if you choose to become a Friend of Cafe Spice Namaste in this way too.
“The funds will be tightly ring-fenced for the costs of moving and setting up a new home for Cafe Spice Namaste.
“Your generosity will forever be etched in our hearts, and as we navigate the current situation, we will be looking at several ways, linked to our food and service, that we can thank you for believing in us.”
Pervin added: “It pains us to announce that we will be closing the doors of Cafe Spice Namaste on Prescot Street at the end of January 2021.
“But we hope before then all of you can come and join us when the lockdown is lifted.”
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