The Punjab

The Punjab Indian restaurant has witnessed the many changes in Covent Garden over the last five decades.

Founder Gurbachan Singh Maan (also known as Granddad Singh), established the Punjab on Neal Street in 1951. He chose Neal Street largely because of the local Indian, Malaysian and East African students who had come to study Law and Medicine in London. The site was also conveniently located near the Covent Garden Market, which meant that most ingredients could be bought and cooked that very day.

Granddad Singh was a tall and generous Sikh Gentleman who loved Covent Garden. Neal Street then was a bustling street full of independent family run shops with a strong community of residents. For almost thirty years, he lived above the restaurant in Neal Street. He viewed Covent Garden as one big family consisting of local families, workers, and businesses.

Retiring in 1970, he regularly sat on the benches, outside the Punjab, keeping an eye on the hustle and bustle of Neal Street. He was shocked at the proposed plans to demolish parts of Covent Garden to construct a major link road. Preservation was, and still is, vital and he became a strong supporter of the newly founded CGCA. He loved the community atmosphere and the experience of the Covent Garden Market and was later saddened by the move of the market.

One of the biggest changes is the way in which Covent Garden has become commercialised. Back in Granddad's time there was still the pride of front door milk and of knowing your milkman. Shop owners would take pride in their window displays and passers-by would stop and enjoy the displays. Now crime has taken precedence and shutters and grills can be seen everywhere. Sadly, you will also find that most stores that open on Neal Street do not last much longer than a couple of years.

Covent Garden has become very popular and one of the results is that the Punjab Restaurant can proudly say that it has clients from every continent dining in Neal Street.

Sukhi Maan

Covent Garden Community Association Annual Report 2000-2001

 

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