Lishkara officially welcomed its first customers on Saturday, becoming the latest independent business to join a growing mix of international cafés and restaurants on the street.
The new venue sits alongside Brazilian, Portuguese, Turkish and Italian eateries, as well as cafés, dessert bars and other independent businesses that traders say are helping breathe new life into an area once known for vacant shopfronts.
For chef Rekha Gill, opening Lishkara marks the fulfilment of a long-held ambition.
“It’s my dream,” she told Swindon24. “It’s kind of like my baby.”
She said it had taken between six and ten years to turn the idea into reality after moving to Swindon, with the aim of bringing authentic North Indian Punjabi cuisine to the town.
“I thought the community needed a Punjabi restaurant, which we don’t have in Swindon as yet,” she said.
Unlike many Indian restaurants, Lishkara specialises in Punjabi cooking, with a traditional clay tandoor at the centre of the kitchen.
“My favourite dish is chana bhatura,” she said. “Everything is made in the house. We don’t use frozen food. Everything we bring to the plate is made in Lishkara.”
She added: “My plan is that we want to make Lishkara as a brand. I want people to say, ‘I want to go to Lishkara.'”
The restaurant’s premises have also undergone a significant transformation.
Mr Sim said around 80% of the refurbishment was completed by himself, his father-in-law and other family members, converting a previously empty unit into a modern restaurant.
He said Havelock Street’s growing reputation as a food destination was a key factor in choosing the location.
Mayor of Swindon Neil Hopkins was there for the opening:
“It is great to see a new business opening in Swindon. Lishkara is bringing something special to the town, with a skilled chef and a real passion for food. There is always a risk in opening a business, and I wish them every success for the future.”
Just a few doors down at Caffini, Heloisa de Souza says moving to Swindon after growing up in London made her realise how limited the town’s international food scene once was. Today, she believes that’s beginning to change.
“When I came, there wasn’t a lot that was multicultural,” she said. “It’s really nice to see different countries opening up places to eat, new things to try in such a small place.”
She said independent businesses are replacing empty units with venues that encourage people to visit the town centre.
“Here in Havelock Street, a lot of stores have been closing down and a lot of food places have been opening up,” she said. “I see a lot of love from the neighbours and the community here.”
However, she believes the town centre would benefit from businesses staying open later.
“A lot of town basically shuts at five,” she said. “I think town would be a lot livelier if things opened up a bit longer.”
Councillor Vanessa Ribeiro Bentley said the changes taking place on Havelock Street reflect Swindon’s diverse community while supporting the local economy.
“It’s really important to help the economy grow,” she said. “That will help support local businesses.”
She added: “We wanted Swindon to thrive. We wanted Swindon to really be alive and embrace culture.”
She highlighted the growing café culture developing along the street.
“It feels like we’re not in Swindon. Maybe we feel like we’re in France somewhere really nice,” she said.
Long-time trader Vince Ayris said businesses on Havelock Street have been working together behind the scenes to improve the area.
“We’ve been quietly building a community here and talking to each other as traders,” he said. “There’s a unity down here together.”
He believes the town centre still has plenty to offer despite its challenges.
“People care about the town centre. They want a town centre,” he said. “It’s gone downhill so far that we need to pick it up and get back together.”
He added: “Swindon town centre has still got some real gems.”
Looking ahead, he said improving parking, introducing decorative lighting and creating a stronger evening economy would help encourage more people to visit.
“We need to build the confidence of people to come into town,” he said.
While the opening of Lishkara alone will not transform the town centre, it represents another independent investment in Havelock Street, where an increasing number of food businesses are helping reshape the area’s identity.
