An Ipswich institution, Indian Mehfil Restaurant, will continue serving its delicious butter chicken and lamb rogan josh meals from d’Arcy Doyle Place for the next five years.
Ipswich City Council has agreed to extend the lease for the popular dine-in and takeaway food business for a further five years until June 2031. It has been open for 15 years.
Finance and Governance Committee Chairperson Councillor Paul Tully said the premises at 116 Brisbane Street, Ipswich, are currently leased to Rajesh Sharma, trading as Indian Mehfil Restaurant, under a council lease expiring on 30 June 2026.
“The building is State heritage listed, originally constructed in 1878 as the Bank of Australasia with an attached manager’s residence,” Cr Tully said.
“Following its closure in 1943, the property remained vacant until acquired by Ipswich City Council in 1985.
“Since acquisition, it has served various civic functions including use as council offices, a library and visitor information centre before being leased to commercial operators since 2003.
“Current tenant Rajesh Sharma has operated Indian Mehfil Restaurant from the property since 2010.
“The current lease includes three additional licence areas for outdoor dining, cafe, and storage.”
Cr Tully said the current annual rent under the lease is $85,603.
The lessee is responsible for maintaining the premises in good repair throughout the term of the lease, except for fair wear and tear and replacement due to end-of-life deterioration.
Division 3 Councillor Marnie Doyle said Indian Mehfil occupies a prominent location in Ipswich Central, adjacent to d’Arcy Doyle Place and surrounded by heritage buildings.
“Its strategic position presents an opportunity to enhance the city’s cultural precinct, particularly in support of the Ipswich Art Gallery,” Cr Doyle said.
“The building’s heritage character and proximity to Ipswich Art Gallery make it well-suited for integration into the precinct, offering both cultural value and commercial potential.”
Division 3 Councillor Andrew Antoniolli said the Ipswich community would be delighted to hear Indian Mehfil was remaining.
“Renewing the lease for 116 Brisbane Street, Ipswich will maintain activation of a heritage-listed asset while providing council with flexibility to plan for its future integration into the cultural precinct,” Cr Antoniolli said.
“Indian Mehfil is renowned beyond Ipswich, having hosted numerous Indian cricket superstars including the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina during their team’s previous tours of Australia.”
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