Love Melksham – A resident’s love letters to her town

This week my love letter to Melksham is written in the warm, spicy surrounds of the wonderful Refa Tandoori. 

The delicious food and friendly atmosphere make it a great place to host visitors and I have enjoyed sharing this special experience with many friends and family members over the years.

This evening I’m catching up with a friend here and within seconds of arriving through the door we are greeted with hugs by Hamza, our attentive and enthusiastic host, who seems to know the names, families and favourite dishes of everyone who walks through the door. Hamza is the youngest son of Gias and Lily Uddin, who arrived in Melksham in 1990. Inspired to share their love of Bangladeshi and Indian cuisine with the appreciative people of Melksham, Gias immediately set up a takeaway in the Market Place. Their first week was so busy they sold out by 8pm every night, and the next 36 years have seen the business develop and expand along with the appetite for their excellent food. When their neighbouring Blockbuster video shop closed in 2014, the Refa doubled in size with the new space and has remained busy and bustling since, including regularly sold-out Christmas days full of happy customers.   

My friend and I settle into our cosy table while drinks are arranged (soft drinks are available and BYO alcohol). Hamza asks what we’re in the mood for and recommends the Shashlik. After crispy papadoms with tangy mango and lime chutney, our waiter arrives with a sizzling hot plate from which he expertly plates up searing hot dishes full of peppers, tomatoes, onions and prawns.

While the Refa is renowned for the quality and authenticity of its excellent menu, it is far more than a restaurant. As dedicated believers in kindness, Gias and his family use the business to invest in and support the community in Melksham. Refa events take place in Forest and Sandridge School and Aloeric school, they provide food for Melksham Food Bank and raffle prizes for a whole range of charitable events. You can see the Refa logo around town as the business sponsors roundabouts and bins as well as being generous supporters of Melksham Football and Cricket Clubs.

Gias is not only at the culinary and business heart of the town, he also helps to run the Melksham Bangladeshi community centre bringing the local cultural communities together.

His son Hamza expertly manages the steady stream of diners and takeaway orders all evening and finds a moment to chat with us. He smiles as he describes the Refa as his father’s pride and joy, sharing the hard work, commitment and love that have made this family business so important to him and to Melksham. ‘We love it because this is our home,’ he says.

To enjoy the splendid cuisine and warm welcome of the generous Uddin family, drop into the Refa to celebrate another delicious reason to Love Melksham!

Pictured: l-r Gias and Hamza Uddin