Subhash Kotecha, Spice Valley

WITH two successful Spice Valley restaurants under their belts, Subhash and Geeta Kotecha could be forgiven for resting on their laurels.

But nothing could be further from the minds of this active couple who plan to have a small chain of five restaurants open within five years.

The Worsley-based couple have already acquired new premises for their third culinary outpost in Deane Road, and are looking at different restaurant models.

The Kotechas are also very active in the wider Bolton business community and were honoured by Bolton Council for their sterling work on a recent trade mission to Mumbai in India.

Mr Kotecha said: “When we opened the first Spice Valley in the former Fatty Arbuckle outlet, at The Valley in 2003, we knew what we wanted to do with it.

“I wanted a different restaurant where my family and I could go to eat because if we wanted to eat authentic Asian food we had to travel to Leicester or London.”

Following the successful launch of the Horwich branch of Spice Valley, the company is expected achieve a turnover of £1 million.

The successful concept of authentic Asian food, made from fresh, locally sourced products, with their own blend of spices, cooked by top Indian-trained chefs, has created well-patronised and much-loved restaurants.

Subhash is managing director of Spice Valley, responsible for managing the business and Geeta is company secretary, responsible for the administration side.

Mr Kotecha has been in the restaurant trade for 20 years. He said: “My vision created my business.

“My dream was to set up restaurants that not only provided authentic foods from my place of birth, but also to provide it in an ambience that was very much removed from the run of the mill curry house.”

Across the two restaurants the couple now employ around 40 full and part-time staff.