A chef who has served dishes to Indian and Bangladeshi dignitaries has helped add new spice to a disused building.Zin Zeera restaurant has opened in the former Bottoms Up building on the Boundary in Hellesdon.

It's thought to be one of the largest Indian restaurants in the region, with capacity for 200 customers. It has been opened by Motin Uddin, who ran a restaurant in Lowestoft for 28 years.

The 46-year-old, who has come to Norwich from Luton, said: 'We've got a great chef who is very talented and we are offering something completely different from any other restaurant.

'We have come away from artificial colouring and use fresh, locally sourced ingredients with fresh herbs. Customers have already made positive comments and have returned.'

The restaurant opened on October 4. A five-month refurbishment project has seen Mr Uddin and his team transform the unusual-looking building into a modern restaurant.

New flooring, new entrances and kitchens have gone in and lighting makes the place stand out at night. Mr Uddin added: 'For us, this was an amazing location. Everyone can see it when they drive past and at night time it looks absolutely beautiful, it looks spectacular from outside.'

Chef Anwar Khan has joined Mr Uddin's team from London. The 54-year-old's career spans more than 38 years and has seen him serve dignitaries, work in a number of top restaurants in London including Soho's Delhi Brasserie and also appear on Asian TV.

He said: 'This place is amazing and I wanted to move here from London to get put these guys on the right track.

'When I came here, I thought this somewhere I could really do something.'

It is not known how much the refurbishment project cost.

The building had been closed for more than two years after the parent company of Bottoms Up, First Quench, collapsed and had to call in administrators in late 2009.

Are you breathing new life into a disused building? Call reporter Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email