A NEW Indian restaurant will breathe new life into a derelict row of shops when it opens for the first time tomorrow (Friday), but the long-term future of the small area looks more uncertain than ever.

The Tiffin Tin will open in the former premises of Royal China in Station Parade, Snaresbrook.

The owner of the buildings, Ossie Osman, put the row up for auction on Monday, but it remains unsold after it failed to reach its £675,000 reserve price.

Planning permission was controversialy granted by the planning inspectorate in January for the demolition of the three shops next to the new restaurant and the construction of a three-storey housing and retail development on the site.

The new restaurant’s owner, Sassy Thiagarajah, whose premises was not included in those up for auction or the demolition plans, said that he was not worried about any development there in the near future and was even considering buying the other units in the future.

He added: “I think we have quite a good location opposite the station and it’s a good area. Hopefully the plans won’t have an effect on what we do.”

Redbridge Council had originally rejected the plans over concerns that it was out of keeping with the Snaresbrook conservation area.

Mr Osman’s agent, Raj Madhani, who runs HELM Asset Management next to the new restaurant, said: “I think my client will now redevelop it himself, but I don't know of the time scale."

He said that Mr Osman would develop the site in line with the plans that have already been granted permission, which include five flats and space for a restaurant.

Mr Thiagarajah said that the new restaurant, which also has branches in Hornsey, West Hampstead and Tufnell Park, would have a kitchen that diners could see into and would serve fresh food, made with authentic spices.