A popular restaurant chain which has two locations in County Durham has been nominated for a string of national and regional awards this winter.

Babul's, which has restaurants in Barnard Castle and Darlington, has been nominated for a record number of six awards at upcoming ceremonies this winter.

Both sites have been nominated for awards, the first being The Asian Restaurant Takeaway Awards in early October.

Babul's Darlington.Babul's Darlington. (Image: BABULS) This comes just a year after the Barnard Castle site won Innovative Restaurant of the Year at the Asian Restaurant Awards on July 31.

Originally named Spice Island, the restaurant was well-known across County Durham and Darlington for 25 years before it was re-branded as Babul’s in 2019.

They have been nominated for the following awards:

  • The Asian Restaurant Takeaway Awards (ARTAs) on October 6
  • The North East Bangladeshi Awards on October 7
  • The National Curry Awards on October 21
  • The Bangladeshi Catering Association Awards on October 28
  • Curry Life Awards on October 13
  • The Asian Curry Awards on November 17

Following the nominations, Zak Ahmed of Babul's told The Northern Echo: "The first year we opened in Darlington we did have teething problems but this year was all about refining our brand and getting things to how it should be.

"We've been able to take a step back and work on the business rather than in the business. But, to be nominated for these awards shows we are doing the right things.

"Difficult decisions and hard work have paid off."

As the weeks tick down for the awards, Zak says he and the team are "excited" to be recognised even if they don't bring it home.

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He added: "This year we have plenty of ceremonies to go to, everyone likes to go to swanky events like that.

"The people who work for us are really excited - they have been telling family and friends that we are up for awards and we have a really great atmosphere of togetherness.

"We are all up for an award, everyone who works here - it's a credit to them and all their hard work. Even if we don't win, it's great to get recognised and shortlisted."