Rivaaz owner Shah Malek announces he has sold the restaurant to spend time with his children

One of Lymington’s best known restaurateurs has revealed he has sold his award-winning Indian eatery so he can spend more time with his children.

Shah Malek has been running Rivaaz since 2007 but says the time has come to hand it over to someone new.

“I am super proud of it; it has been my life’s work,” he said. “It has won so many awards and although it has been hard work it has given me a very good life.

“But I felt like now was the time to leave at the top.”

Shah said his three daughters aged 12,10 and six, are the reason for his decision to step back from the restaurant in St Thomas Street.

The Rivaaz team set a new record by winning the Asian Curry Awards ‘Best Asian on the South Coast of England” five years running, including this year.

He said: “It was the pandemic that really brought home to me how much I had already missed of my children’s lives. I worked long hours in the restaurant, including weekends. Suddenly I was spending all my time with my wife and the girls, and I loved it.

“So did they. I was sat at home learning things I didn’t even know about them! I just felt I wanted to spend more time with my family.”

Shah said he only sold the restaurant on one condition - that all the team of loyal staff that he had built up kept their jobs.

“They have been fantastic and there was no way I wanted them to lose their jobs,” he said.

“That was a condition of the sale and I’m glad to say they are all still working there. There were quite a few tears when I told them I was selling – that was really sweet. I’ve also received messages too since I left saying they miss me.”

Shah announced the sale on social media, with many customers reacting with shock but congratulating him for taking the decision to put his family first.

He said: “I’ve got quite a few messages from people saying they will miss me at Rivaaz, but the person I have sold it to is a great person and it will continue to be a great restaurant.

“He will take it forward as he should. I’m still a customer! I’m getting a takeaway tomorrow night and I hope I still get staff discount!”

Shah is still involved in the other Lymington restaurant he part-owns – eatPizza in Gosport Street which is run by his business partner Seb Berta.

“I will be popping in there from time to time,” he added. “But I am just looking forward to taking some time off and doing normal family things.”