Afghan refugee family to run pop-up restaurant

A family who fled Afghanistan to Northallerton during the Taliban's resurgence are running a pop-up restaurant to showcase Afghan cuisine and say thanks to their community.

Habib Rahimi worked as an interpreter with the UK Armed Forces and left the country in 2021 with his wife Nelab and their four children.

The family moved to North Yorkshire in 2023 after the government granted them sanctuary status.

Mr Rahimi said: "We are very grateful but we want to work and pay our way. I wanted to share Afghan cuisine and culture with the local community."

According to North Yorkshire Council, 484 Afghans have been relocated to 97 households in the region since August 2021 under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) or the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS).

People being resettled under the ARAP scheme include interpreters who worked for the Armed Forces.

Habib said "Living in Northallerton has been a wonderful experience. The people here are very kind and friendly, which has made it easier for us to settle.

"We feel safe and the community has been supportive, especially in helping us find a home and adjust to life in England."

Jonathan Spencer, who is senior resettlement officer for the council, said the authority felt it had a responsibility to support the Rahimis because they would not have been safe had they stayed in Afghanistan.

"Habib really put his life on the line, quite literally, so they've really risked their lives for the UK."

The pop-up restaurant will be held at Northallerton Town Hall on 19 April.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.