New Amesbury kebab restaurant Boscombe Grill sells out in first week

Owner Sinan Goktas, 38, relocated from Hertfordshire to open a family-run Turkish kebab restaurant in Amesbury and to be closer to his uncle Ozkan Avci who owns Jenny's Bistro in Salisbury.

Boscombe Grill, at 2 Bence Court, Archers Way, was forced to close early on the first three days after it opened for the first time on Monday, July 15, as it ran out of food.

Customers from far and wide rushed to the new kebab shop to take advantage of a 50 per cent off opening deal and while Mr Goktas was anticipating a successful launch, he didn't predict the enormous surge of hungry locals.

The booming success meant the restaurant had to close at 7pm on Wednesday, July 17, despite Mr Goktas' typical opening hours being 3-10pm.

Mr Goktas currently employs five members of staff. (Image: Newsquest)

Boscombe Grill sets itself apart from typical kebab takeaway shops in a few ways - there's a moderately-sized and well-decorated seating area, it serves traditional Turkish kebab and the menu features unique items such as the 'bonanza burger'.

In a bid to escape the unhealthy reputation kebab shops garnered in the 1970s and 80s, Mr Goktas is keeping things as authentic as he can to the Turkish food he would be served in his home country.

"At the moment, people think kebabs are junk food but they aren't," claimed Mr Goktas.

Boscombe Grill's kebabs are served with a chosen meat, bread, basmati rice, seasoned onions and a handful of other vegetables.

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Mr Goktas will trial opening at lunchtime next week to gauge interest and ultimately decide which opening hours work best for Boscombe Grill.

Most of the customers passing through the doors this week have been families which is something Mr Goktas likes about the area.

He said: "While searching, this place caught my eye because the location is good and the people are friendly as well. Businesswise, this place is needed here."

There's a spacious seating area inside the restaurant. (Image: Newsquest)

It took Mr Goktas and his two uncles four months to convert the old physiotherapy studio into a modern, fully-kitted kebab shop.

Delivery through Just Eat has been set up ready to be switched on but Mr Goktas wanted to meet his customers face-to-face for the first time to show them the restaurant space he had created.

"I want people to know that we have a cosy seating area and that they can have the same comfortable tea they would have in a restaurant but at takeaway prices," added Mr Goktas

"I want to build that side of the business with time."

While Boscombe Grill doesn't serve alcohol, Mr Goktas said customers are welcome to bring their own and his staff would accommodate them with glasses and ice.