A NEW ‘authentic’ takeaway is opening in Andover this week, in a unit abandoned for nearly two years on London Street.

Kiran Kumar Gurang and his business partners have come together to open a brand new takeaway kebab and pizza shop inspired by their collective backgrounds and a passion for quality food.

The ex-soldier is originally from Nepal and served for 22 years in the British Army Queen's Gurkha Signals. He moved to Tidworth in 2018 and decided to open the shop with Mohammed Azad and Amit Gurung, who both have previous experience in the hospitality sector.

They have also recruited chef Yunis Yigeni, who previously worked for German Doner Kebab in London. 

“Food is very essential. People need it in day-to-day life and we wanted to bring a really authentic option to Andover,” Kiran told the Advertiser.

“The difference is we are making everything fresh in the store. For kebabs, normally people buy in frozen ones but we make them fresh, and the bread is all fresh, and we make all the sauce ourselves too.”

Andover Kebab and Pizza House will be open daily from 11am. However, its official opening will be at 1pm on Wednesday, September 15, where Cllr Phil North, leader of Test Valley Borough Council will be cutting the ribbon.

Kiran, 51, added: “We did a tasting with friends and family a couple of days ago and got some really good feedback, so we're really excited and enthusiastic, and very eager to open.

“We have been waiting for a year. We started the process when the pandemic started but it took time to do the paperwork and the necessary renovations, because this place was abandoned for nearly two years.

“We are giving this place a new lease of life.”