TRIBUTES have been paid for restaurant owner and dad Enam-Ul Haque Chowdhury, who died aged 59.

His family stayed by his side at the Great Western Hospital when he passed on February 19 after developing symptoms of Covid-19.

Enam-Ul opened his own takeaway in 1991 which was a huge hit and gave him the confidence to open Ganges Indian Restaurant in Royal Wootton Bassett two years later, and won the Wiltshire Business Awards 2018.

The much-loved Bangladeshi man moved to the UK in 1986 where he committed himself to his work and family, he also spent most of his life dedicated to the community.

Through the lockdown, he dished up over 3,500 discounted and free meals to key workers that have been stretched during this period. He also donated meals to the Swindon hospital and to vulnerable children.

The Chowdhury family said: "We would just like to take the time to thank everyone. Although going through something like this definitely has been a challenge for us, it has been made easier by the outpouring of support we have received and we are incredibly thankful for this, we feel incredibly privileged to be based in such a loving and caring community."

Enam-Ul took on many roles in the community over the years, including being the founder and CEO of the BestChildren international charity, the national senior vice president of Bangladesh Caterers Association UK, and the founder life member of London Bangla Press Club.

Mayor of Royal Wootton Bassett, Nic Hughes, said: "Enam was well known in the town, he was a big part of Wootton Bassett, he organised a lot of charity events and was involved with the Rotary Club, and I met him through some of those town events. He was proud of his heritage, and he worked to bring the English and Bangladeshi communities together and those are the things that I will remember most about him.

"He was very keen to open the doors to the community and break down the barriers that were there. He was a bubbly character and had a presence amongst people. He always spoke to people and made sure everything was okay.

"I think the town will remember him for running Ganges for so long, his generosity and being a significant part of Royal Wootton Bassett."

For the last three years, he was elected as a public governor of the Great Western Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Brighter Futures. And he was also invited by the Queen, in 2018 for a reception in Buckingham Palace to acknowledge his contribution to his local community and beyond.

A spokesperson for Brighter Futures said: "We were very saddened to learn of the passing of Enam-Ul Haque from the Ganges Restaurant in Royal Wootton Bassett.

"Enam-Ul was such a great supporter of the charity and we will be forever grateful for everything that he has done to support the work and staff of the Great Western Hospital.

"Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very sad time."

North Wiltshire MP James Gray was a friend of his for three decades, he said: "Enam was a great pillar of the community. He used his restaurant for charitable purposes, having fundraising events there, but he also did a lot of work with helping people in lockdown. It's doubly ironic and tragic he succumbed to Covid-19.

"He was a great supporter of lots of great causes and Ganges is one of the best restaurants around."

His funeral was held on February 23 where a Hearse took him past Ganges one last time and stopped by the Town Hall to give people a chance to say goodbye.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Jasmin, and their three sons Mijan, Taseen, and Tahlil.