The owners of an abandoned high street Indian restaurant have been slammed for letting it fall into disrepair.

Akaash Tandoori Restaurant at 23 Market Place, Dereham, closed in 2015 and it has now been labelled "stain" on the town.

Councillor Ray O’Callaghan, Breckland councillor for Withburga ward on Breckland council, said: “The Akaash is a stain to Dereham town centre. This listed building is rotting from the inside and out and needs to be completely refurbished.

"I would urge the council to either carry out enforcement action to the owners. If for some reason this is not possible, they will need to compulsorily purchase the building for a nominal amount and bring it back to its former glory.

"It is unacceptable that this historic building in the heart of Dereham is left to decay, once the roof falls in it will be too late, and in my opinion, it is not that far away from happening.”

Last October, the council issued a formal notice requiring improvements to be carried out to the front of the property after the owners failed to take action. 

The original notice included redecorating external woodwork and walls, and taking down old signage - as the building remains frozen in time.

Dereham Times: The Akaash Tandoori Restaurant, based at 23 Market Place in Dereham, closed its doors back in 2015The Akaash Tandoori Restaurant, based at 23 Market Place in Dereham, closed its doors back in 2015 (Image: Aaron McMillan)Councillor Sarah Suggitt, Breckland's executive member for planning, said: "The council has tried to engage with the owners of the building to encourage them to make improvements, but a lack of progress means a more formal route has become necessary.

“We are now actively investigating the various legal options open to us.”

Dereham Times: A photo taken of the inside of the Akaash Tandoori Restaurant, based at 23 Market Place in Dereham, on October 13, 2023A photo taken of the inside of the Akaash Tandoori Restaurant, based at 23 Market Place in Dereham, on October 13, 2023 (Image: Aaron McMillan) Dereham Times: Ray O’Callaghan, Breckland councillor for Dereham's Withburga wardRay O’Callaghan, Breckland councillor for Dereham's Withburga ward (Image: Aaron McMillan)Councillor Alison Webb, from Neatherd ward, said: “I am very disappointed that despite the best efforts of the Breckland officers serving a Section 215 notice, the much-needed work on the Akaash building has still not been carried out.

“Officers have reassured me that they are working through all options to take this important issue forward and I alongside other Dereham members will be pushing this matter forward as a matter of urgency.”

Dereham Times: Alison Webb, Breckland councillor for Dereham’s Neatherd wardAlison Webb, Breckland councillor for Dereham’s Neatherd ward (Image: Gary Donnison Photography 2021)