First look: Sunderland's new Funky Indian restaurant

The successful restaurant, which specialises in Indian tapas dishes, has moved from its original base in Tavistock Place to the former Cosa Nostra site in Borough Road.

Derelict for five years, the site has now been given a completely new look that echoes the Bollywood theme of the Funky Indian brand.

Owner Kam Chera said: “We have been overwhelmed by the positive reaction to the news that we were taking over the old Cosa Nostra site. We have gained a good reputation in the city, but we had a few issues with the other site.

“This one is a lot more aesthetically-pleasing and really complements our brand.”

Kam’s imported Indian rickshaws and fabrics to decorate the new site, which will run as an 80-seater restaurant downstairs and a bar upstairs.

It also features a stand designed to resemble a traditional Indian street food stall where customers will be able to purchase spices.

The business’s social enterprise arm, Stars on Earth, will remain at the former site.

Over the past months, the programme has worked with scores of children from Portland and Barbara Priestman Schools to give children with learning difficulties experience in the front-of-house trade.