JINNAH, the York-based family chain of Indian restaurants, has bought its rented site in Micklegate outright for £760,000 from Allied Brewery Developments

The deal, achieved with the help of Lloyds TSB Commercial, means that the Jinnah headquarters now moves there from its restaurant on the A64 near Flaxton. It also means that it can lease the remainder of the Micklegate property to Kennings Van Hire next door.

The deal crowns a year of huge growth for the chain which last May saw the successful launch of a 150-cover Jinnah in Harrogate - the effect of a £250,000 revamp of the Old County Pub in Devonshire Place, again with the help of Lloyds TSB Commercial. Since then it has been visited by 150,000 customers.

It also coincides with achievement of top awards, including two Best in Britain accolades a fortnight ago. The Jinnah Flaxton was listed among the top 30 restaurants for speciality Asian cuisine in the UK and the Jinnah chain was recognised as the best group of Asian restaurants in Britain.

Apart from the Micklegate, Flaxton and Harrogate ventures, the chain consists of the Viceroy of India in Monkgate and two takeaways, in Haxby and Kirkbymoorside.

The chain owner Saleem Akhtar said: "It is pleasing to secure our future in York, while in Harrogate the success story has flourished since launch."