A man suffering from a “mid-life crisis” has gone into the food industry for the first time and taken over a curry house in Ashford.

Ian Sleeper, 48, from Kingsnorth, is the new owner of Singleton Tandoori, which is at the Singleton Centre, in Singleton Hill.

He kept the same staff and chef when he took over at the end of last year, when the previous owner decided to move out of the area.

Mr Sleeper, who is married with two children, said: “I’ve spoken to a lot of people who say it is unusual for a white guy to own an Indian restaurant.

“I am a devout Christian. All the staff are Muslim but we get on very well; we make a good team.

“We cannot understand why there is Muslim-Christian unrest in the world.”

“We cannot understand why there is Muslim-Christian unrest in the world.” - Owner Ian Sleeper

Mr Sleeper bought the restaurant following a 20-year career as a business consultant, despite having no previous experience of the food industry.

He said: “I put it down to a mid-life crisis. I’d had enough doing what I was doing. I wanted to go in a different direction.

“I’d spent 15 to 20 years in admin and had got to a point where I thought ‘I don’t want to do this any more’.

“I looked at various businesses in the area and this one was available.

“I did some research on its sales. It had a good reputation. I kept the same staff, same reliable chef.

“The food and service are very good. I’ve learnt the ropes pretty quickly.

“We’ve got a phall challenge – any customer who polishes one off will get a free bottle of beer– and if anyone proposes in the restaurant on Valentine’s Day they will get a bottle of champagne.”

The restaurant is open every lunchtime (except Friday) between noon and 2.30pm, and every evening from 5.30pm.

They also have a delivery service Monday to Thursdays and host a banquet night on Sundays.