A YOUNG entrepreneur has opened his own takeaway brand in the heart of Blackburn – at a quirky spot with quite a history.

The new Donner King Café is the brainchild of 25-year-old Sameh Rashid who came up with the idea after experimenting with different doner recipes.

His new take-out is based near the taxi rank next to Blackburn railway station which was home to a popular cafe serving famous cheese toasties and traditional English breakfasts for decades.

The Cabin in Railway Road was located at the side of the station since 1939 in various temporary guises before it was demolished due to it being dilapidated.

A new brick-built cabin with indoor seating now stands on the spot.

Sameh said he came up with the whole concept for the Donner King Cafe after wanting to create something original.

He said: “The cabin was renovated and was offered as an empty shell. I thought it would be great central spot with a lot of walk-in potential.

“I always wanted to open something a little different. With doner you get the same old flavours and spices.

“I came up with some original recipes and you won’t get them anywhere else.”

Asian Image:

Diners can order flavours such as the Mexican lemon and herb, peri peri, the ‘hotshot special’ or diners can make their own doner from the range of ingredients on offer.

Sameh said: “I’ve had a great response so far and a lot of people don’t know I am here. We get online orders and for pick-up. People can also place their order and we can bring it out to them outside.

“I am sure as word gets out and people come and taste the food it will be more popular.

“I know the local cabbies like their tea in the evenings so we will offering that too very soon.”

Asian Image: The refreshment cabin at the side of Blackburn Station in 1966

Here is a picture from 1966 from the LT archive

One customer who was at the venue said the food was something different. “Every time I have brought someone here they come back for more. It is very much like the doner I tried in America on a visit there.”

Sameh said he was hoping his brand would pick up. “You have to start small and maybe in the future we can open similar cafes in other towns and cities.”