AN ANDOVER restaurant is hoping to spice up its presence in the hospitality sector after being shortlisted for a prestigious accolade.

Spice Route in Andover’s High Street is pitched against some of the best-known restaurants in the country for the Asian Curry Awards, one of the highlights of the catering industry's year.

Contenders will now be whittled down in a public vote, with the winners being announced at London's Grosvenor House Hotel on November 20.

Spice Route, opened in February last year during lockdown, was restricted to takeaways only in the beginning.

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But it did not stop the eatery from gaining a loyal customer base, as it saw people returning to try out its varied menu.

The curry awards are organised by the Asian Catering Federation (ACF), which represents 30,000 restaurants and takeaways.

ACF chairman Yawar Khan urged the public to cast their votes, saying it could make all the difference to the eventual winners.

“Every week I hear from another owner closing their restaurant because they cannot see an end in sight to the economic situation, but an award win can bring a massive upsurge in trade," he said.

“For customers wanting to help their favourite restaurants survive, their votes can be crucial.”

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This year winners will be included in the ACF’s new One Hundred Top Curry Restaurants guide, which is being published region by region.

To vote go online, go to asiancurryawards.com.