Page 28 - A History Of Food And Drink In Wokingham

1977

Following the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 a large number of Bangladeshi immigrants
came to Britain, many of whom entered the catering business. In fact, most so-called Indian
restaurants in this country are actually run by Bangladeshis.

One of these immigrants was Abdul Hye Bhuiya who began working for the Taj Mahal
restaurant in High Street Kensington in 1964 and then the Punjabi Grill, Notting Hill Gate in
1972. In 1977 a Mr. Ashraf, who used to be a student colleague back in Bangladesh asked
him to become a business partner and stay in Wokingham. And so, it was that the Taj Mahal
in Denmark Street became the first Indian restaurant in Wokingham when opened in 1977.

The Taj Mahal building had previously been an Italian coffee shop until the owner moved
back to Italy.

Two months later the Royal India opened in Peach Street and has since been renamed as
Boishakhi, which is an event to celebrate the Bengali New Year. For many years the Taj
Mahal, the Royal India and the Baranda, also in Peach Street have been run by brothers.
Omar Sharif had been running the Taj Mahal for the last 27 years, but in September 2020 it
was sold, refurbished and then reopened in December 2020 as the Green Chilli Indian
restaurant under new ownership.

1978

An arsonist caused havoc in Wokingham town centre in two separate incidents. Gutted in one
fire was the Old Brewery in Denmark Street, due to be demolished to make way for the Tesco
supermarket development.

The Baker family had been at 17 Market Place since 1876 undertaking picture framing and
house decorating and they later ran it as a hardware store. This year it became a restaurant
but soon shut. It is now the Blue Cross charity shop.

1983

Town Mayor Cllr. David Ireland welcomed stall-holders and shoppers alike when he officially
declared the new covered market open with a sherry toast on Tuesday. The 11 dual purpose
stalls which filled the Town Hall extension were well stocked, including wholefoods. The
market area was open four days a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

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