A pub landlord has listened to calls from his locals – after he opened an Indian restaurant at his watering hole.

Sunny Singh and his wife Kath Kaur took over Presteigne’s Royal Oak pub in March 2022.

For the previous 16 years, Sunny had run a fish n chip shop in nearby Knighton, but knowing Presteigne already had a chippy, Sunny didn’t want to tread on the toes of other businesses. Instead, as the couple considered ideas to drum up extra business, the Royal Oak Indian restaurant was born.

County Times: The couple have opened an authentic Indian restaurant at the pub. The couple have opened an authentic Indian restaurant at the pub. (Image: The Royal Oak Presteigne)

The restaurant opened on February 6 and Sunny is hoping its early success is a good sign for the future.

“We bought the pub in March 2022 but there was very little trade at the start, we were not successful,” said Sunny.

“We wanted to do something different, something that someone else wasn’t doing.

“We asked locals what they wanted and the overwhelming response was, people said they wanted an Indian, as there’s not really one locally. The closest Indian restaurant is in Kington.”

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“I used to run a fish and chip shop in Knighton, for 16 years,” he added.

“People asked us to come to Presteigne. But I didn’t want to open a fish and chip shop in here because there’s already one.

“I have experience in the chip shop industry but I didn’t want to open one here. I really didn’t want to steal someone else’s living.

“But there’s no Indian restaurant or takeaway here so it’s something Presteigne needs.

“When we asked what people wanted, an Indian restaurant was the major response.

“It’s been hard for pubs. Bills are going up, they are three times higher now so we knew we needed to do something different.”

Sunny brought in a chef, known as ‘Mr Singh’ - but he's no relation - who has 20 years’ experience.

County Times: “When we asked what people wanted, an Indian restaurant was the major response, says Sunny. “When we asked what people wanted, an Indian restaurant was the major response, says Sunny. (Image: The Royal Oak Presteigne)

The chef is from the same region of India as Sunny and Kath - Punjab. They run the pub and the restaurant and were rewarded on opening night, when they welcomed a full house.

“Since we opened my wife hasn’t taken a salary, but now it looks like it will be successful,” said Sunny.

“Locals have really supported it so it’s positive for us. We had a full house on the first night.”

The pub, located on High Street, is open every day from 3-10pm, with the restaurant open from 5-9pm Tuesday to Sunday (booking is advised to avoid disappointment).

On the last Sunday of every month the pub serves an all you can eat buffet, which varies each month. The Royal Oak also offers a smaller normal menu as well.

To find out more about the pub, the new restaurant or to book, ring 01544 260842, email skyjaylimited@gmail.com, visit their website at royaloak-presteigne.co.uk or check out the Royal Oak Presteigne Facebook page.