An Indian takeaway so popular customers would sit on the floor to eat has reopened as a restaurant after more than a year of refurbishment.

Hackney Gazette: The restaurant during the work.The restaurant during the work. (Image: Archant)

Spice Island closed early last year after it outgrew its home in Englefield Road, although it did still offer a delivery service.

Kasru Miah, who founded the takeaway in 2010, was delighted to open the doors again and is looking forward to seating more diners.

He explained: “In the beginning, I put in a couple of seats out for people to sit on while they waited and soon people wanted to sit in and eat, so I put out a couple of tables.

“I started getting phone calls from people who had never been before, so I had to tell them we didn’t have room.

“My regulars didn’t mind squeezing in, but it was time to give them a proper restaurant!”

Landlord the Benyon Estate were there to toast Mr Miah at the opening. Edward Benyon said: “We are happy to have played a part in supporting Mr Miah’s hard work.”