(Image: T&A)
A Bradford man has turned his dream of opening a Pan Asian restaurant into reality.
Fazal Hussain, 32, from BD2 area of the city, is the founder of Banjora, a vibrant new dining spot in Sutton-in-Craven, near Keighley.
It opened in July 2026.
On Holme Lane, Banjora serves curries alongside starters, burgers, parmesans, mocktails, desserts and children’s meals.
Banjora serves customers from Sutton-in-Craven, nearby villages and the wider Keighley area.
Where did it all begin?
Mr Hussain said: "Banjora started with an idea that grew into something much bigger than I initially imagined."
Graphic designer Mr Hussain had always wanted to open his own restaurant.
After finding a promising building in Sutton-in-Craven, he saw it as the ideal place to realise his vision.
Mr Hussain has a background in graphic design
'I could see its potential'
He said: "When I first came across the building in Sutton-in-Craven, I could see its potential and started imagining what it could become.
"I had always wanted to open my own restaurant, and seeing that building gave me the push to finally take that step."
He admits the journey from concept to opening was far from straightforward, and saw him spending countless early mornings and late nights grinding away.
He added: "Looking back, there were times when I was so focused on getting everything ready that I barely had time to eat myself."
Have you tried it yet?
'Once I got the keys, everything became real'
Though his professional background is in graphic design, the world of hospitality was not entirely new to Mr Hussain.
He said: "Having helped my brother with opening his restaurant, I had some experience of what goes into running a food business.
"However, opening Banjora was a different challenge altogether because this time the responsibility was mine."
Mr Hussain took charge of every aspect of the restaurant, from branding and interior design to menu development and customer experience.
He also transformed the space himself, painting, laying flooring, tiling and building the bar from scratch.
He said: "It was a huge learning curve, but one that I embraced wholeheartedly."
More than a place to eat
Hussain wants to make “good food accessible”, with generous portions at reasonable prices.
He said: "We want to offer something for different tastes and occasions, whether someone is coming in for a family meal, a casual dinner or ordering a takeaway at home."
He hopes customers will see Banjora as more than just a place to eat.
Inside the restaurant
He said: "The atmosphere, the presentation, the service and the little details all matter.
"I want people to walk through the door and feel that thought and care have gone into the experience."
Mr Hussain is urging people to visit Banjora and try it for themselves.
He said: "As a new independent business, every visit, order, review and recommendation genuinely makes a difference to us.
"We appreciate the support we have already received from the local community, and we want to continue earning that support by giving people good food and a welcoming experience."