'The calm before the storm' - How Manchester's Curry Mile is preparing for hundreds of Eid visitors

Muslims across the region will be anticipating their special day as the holy month of Ramadan nears it’s end. With just nine days left of the month, people up and down Greater Manchester will be making plans on how they are going to celebrate on Eid.

One thing that will definitely feature in people’s itineraries is a visit to the world famous Wilmslow Road in Rusholme, also known as Curry Mile. A staple in Eid celebrations, thousands of people have hit the street over the years to take part in the festivities that sees children children devouring ice creams and sweets, young men and women lounging at the popular shisha spots, families tucking into some delicious food at restaurants and flash sports cars cruising up and down the road.

With Curry Mile being the place to be for Eid celebrations, how do the countless businesses on the road prepare for the big day? The MEN went down to Curry Mile to ask local business owners about their plans.

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While many restaurants see Eid as one of the biggest days in their calendar after what has been a quiet month during Ramadan, some staff members don't quite share their enthusiasm. Bash who has been working at the Walnut Persian Restaurant for eight years described Eid as ‘horrible’ due to the strenuous workload the restaurant undertakes as people celebrate for as long as three days.

Speaking to the MEN he said: “It’s horrible! So many people, so much traffic, so crowded for three days, no lies at all. It’s a big headache, we manage things by taking bookings, and people are making them already with only ten days to go.

“Staff don’t have a day off during the Eid, we’re expecting to serve almost 400 people that day.”

With ten days left, people have already started making