Why TikToker from Pakistan with 3.4m followers buys a property in a small Yorkshire village… and what locals think about their new neighbour

A TikToker’s newly-purchased restaurant in a small Yorkshire village has been slammed by locals as looking like a KFC fast food joint with ‘tacky’ signage.

Tahir Khan Restaurant (TKR), dubbed the number one food brand in Pakistan, announced last August that it was ‘going international’.

And it is soon to fling open its doors in the village of Drighlington, near Bradford, West Yorkshire.

While some locals have welcomed the new venture, others have complained that the red, white and black signage – which features an image of the owner himself- looks ‘tacky’ and ‘out of keeping’ with the local area.

Tahir Khan, CEO of TKR and a travel vlogger who has 3.4 million followers on TikTok and 3.8 million on Facebook, said in an announcement that he was ‘beyond thrilled’ to tell people that ‘TKR is taking a major step forward and going international’.

The TKR eatery has developed an old Cantonese restaurant, which had served the community of Drighlington for years until it shut its doors.

Before that, the building was part of a fizzy drinks factory; Larkspur, which still has its company logo as a mural on the restaurant wall.

Many residents took to Facebook to voice their disappointment with the signage, arguing that it is ‘not in keeping’ with the area.

A TikToker’s newly-purchased restaurant in a small Yorkshire village has been slammed by locals as looking like a KFC fast food joint with ‘tacky’ signage

The branch in the village of Drighlington, near Bradford, West Yorkshire, is the first to open outside of Pakistan

The building was part of a fizzy drinks factory; Larkspur, which still has its company logo as a mural on the restaurant wall.

Gavin Andrew wrote: ‘Is it me or this beautiful period building been spoiled by this tacky looking sign?

‘Looks like the KFC sign… what a way to ruin probably a Grade II or I listed building.

‘Definitely not in keeping with the building, but congrats to the owner for his success. Hope he does well (just please change the signage).’

Another local wrote: ‘Awful sign on a lovely building. Not a bit of class.’

Some even called on the council to take action against the signage.

Assad Ullah Khan said: ‘Surely the council should advise the signage is not keeping to the standards of the properties in the area.’

While some were not overly eager about the signs, they still thought the upcoming restaurant would be good for the village.

Retired David Lockwood, 67, said: ‘I think it’s a good thing that the building is not going to remain derelict.

Pictured: Tahir Khan, the face of Tahir Khan restaurants, dubbed the number one food brand in Pakistan. The TikTok star has 3.4m followers

The brand, based in Islamabad, claims it won best restaurant of the year in 2023

Retired David Lockwood is glad the building, which had been derelict, will be used for a new restaurant 

‘Unfortunately, the Chinese people who had it before could not make it work any longer.

‘It was a top quality restaurant. It’s a pity that.

‘I hope it is going to reopen as a top quality restaurant.

‘The signage is not as good as it could be and from what I’ve read quite a few people aren’t happy with the signage. It doesn’t give the impression that it’s going to be high standard.

‘It’s maybe a bit tacky.’

Opposite the road is the long established Indian restaurant Prashad, with a more subdued signage, and which serves only vegetarian dishes.

Mr Lockwood continued: ‘Prashad’s signs are more discreet.

‘But, nothing wrong with the new place opening up. 

‘Prashad is a vegetarian restaurant and this new one will give you a meat alternative.’

Adrian Smith said that if it is going ‘to bring more people and money into the area’ then it is a great idea

Tahir Khan, CEO of TKR and a travel vlogger, has 3.4 million followers on TikTok and 3.8 million on Facebook

Adrian Smith, 34, who works in a computer store and was waiting at the bus stop on Kings Road near to the soon to be opened TKR, said: ‘I think it will be good for the community, if it’s going to bring more people and money into the area, then that’s great.

‘I think “the more the merrier” when it comes to restaurants and businesses. It’s good news.’

Billy Fielding, 70, lives about 100 yards from the soon to open TKR.

‘It’s a new business, and if it goes alright, then it’s alright by me,’ said Mr Fielding. 

‘I’ve not heard of the TikToker who is opening it up, but if his place is an eighth as good Prashad is to the village, then it’ll do well.

‘Prashad sponsor every sports club – whether it is football, rugby, cricket – they sponsor the lot, do Prashad.

‘My granddaughter works for them, and she has been there from and early age, and they are absolutely top notch.

‘It’s that name of the game, giving something back to the village, it’s the name of the game. Hopefully this new guy will do the same.’

Billy Fielding, 70, lives about 100 yards from the soon to open TKR

The TKR eatery has been developed in place of an old Cantonese restaurant, which had served the community of Drighlington for years until it shut its doors

Mr Fielding said he had no problem with the signage, adding: ‘You can criticise anything, and people do.’

Sue Kelly, 58, a retired retail worker, was walking her two long haired Dachshunds Otto and Darcie near the new restaurant.

‘You get your moaners, buts it’s the minority of the village,’ said Mrs Kelly.

‘It’s a few whingers, who don’t like the sign, who like to say their piece, and just not wishing them well. And, then, you get the others, who just can’t wait for it to open – like me!’

She said that the village is currently lacking a curry restaurant that serves meat dishes. There are takeaways but not a place to dine.

‘I love Prashad, but it will be nice to have a proper meaty curry.

‘I’m happy with it, but there are some whingers hammering the new place on Facebook. I think, ‘for God’s sake, get a life’.

‘They are saying it looks like a KFC sign, and it does, but the image also looks like me son-in-law. “I took a picture of it and sent it to my daughter and asked ‘when did your hubby open a restaurant?’ 

The restaurant sits opposite a vegetarian curry house, and residents feel having an option that serves meat dishes will perform well

Sue Kelly, 58, a retired retail worker, said those complaining about the restaurant were only a ‘minority’ in the village

Nathan Robson, 27, said that while some people say the venue is an ‘eyesore’, he has no problem with it

‘I know these whingers will actually try it, and I’m certainly looking forward to it opening. I’ll wait until they settle in and then I’ll be going.

‘It’s really good for the village, we are very lucky. I don’t know what this big TikToker has picked little Drighlington for his first restaurant outside Pakistan, but I’m glad he has.’

Nathan Robson, 27, lives just up the road from the TKR and was outside walking his dog Frankie, a Dorky – Dachshund-Yorkshire terrier cross.

Nathan, a broadband worker, said: ‘I think it’s great that he will be bringing new people to the village and increase the food options that are around.

‘They haven’t been particularly open, as yet, and engaged with the village. We have quite a few Facebook pages ‘Drigh Matters’ etc, and they haven’t really posted on what day they are opening.

‘Prashad have been great. They gave out 3,000 free curries just before Christmas. There were queues around the block.

‘Prashad put a lot of money into the community.

‘A lot of people are saying the signage is an eyesore, but I have no problem with it.

‘Me and missus will be looking to go and eat at the new place as soon as it’s open. We do like a good bit of food, and curry especially.’

Tahir Khan Restaurants has been approached for comment. 

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