Two neighbouring restaurants in the heart of Sutton Coldfield have simultaneously launched bids to expand their dining areas in a bid to attract more customers and increase profitability.
Competing Visions for Growth on Manor Road
The Himalayan Grill and The Sher Indian Grill and sports bar, both situated on Manor Road near the popular Bottle of Sack Wetherspoon's, filed their planning applications with Birmingham City Council just a day apart last month. Each establishment has a distinct plan to grow its physical footprint and accommodate significantly more diners.
The Himalayan Grill, which specialises in Nepalese and Indian cuisine, seeks to transform its temporary Covid-era outdoor dining area into a permanent structure. Owner Mr Puskar Silwal proposes removing the current timber-covered frontage and replacing it with a double-glazed, aluminium-framed extension featuring a flat roof.
Mr Silwal has stated that the expansion is economically essential. In his application, he notes the need to 'increase profitability and help pay the bills', specifically to cover business rates, workers' wages, and rising insurance payments. He attributes the previous failures of ventures at the site—which has housed eateries like Five, Don Diego, and Veeru's—to a lack of sufficient space and profitability.
Doubling Covers and a New Home Above
The current layout of the Himalayan Grill, constrained by a bay window and structural obstructions, allows for only 34 covers. The proposed changes, which add a mere 15 square metres of gross internal space (from 143 sq m to 158 sq m), would use the area more efficiently, nearly doubling capacity to 66 customers at a time.
In a personal twist, the application also reveals plans for an extension to the first-floor apartment. Mr Silwal intends to relocate from Solihull and move into the flat above the restaurant with his family.
Sher's Plan for a Rear Conservatory
Next door, The Sher Indian Grill—formerly known as Tapri and operated by Tapri Delivery UK Ltd—has its own expansion strategy. Focusing on Punjabi cuisine and operating as a sports bar, Sher has applied to build an additional conservatory to the rear of its existing extended area.
This new structure would provide space for approximately 56 extra seats, adding 110 square metres of floorspace. The gain in dining area would come at the cost of one parking space on the property.
Public Consultation Deadlines
Local residents now have the opportunity to comment on both proposals. The public consultation period for the Himalayan Grill application (reference 2025/04836/PA) runs until Monday, January 26.
For the Sher application (reference 2025/05660/PA), the listed deadline of December 2 appears to be an administrative error, as it predates the application's registration date. However, Birmingham City Council is still understood to be accepting comments on the plans.
These parallel applications highlight the competitive and challenging nature of the local hospitality sector, with both businesses betting on physical expansion as the key to securing their future on Sutton Coldfield's bustling Manor Road.
