One of Brighton's best-known restaurants is set to change hands.

The Black Chapati in Circus Parade has been put on the market at £6,000 a year in rent and £35,000 for the lease, fixtures and fittings.

The Black Chapati became famous as the originator of "fusion" food - serving not just Indian cuisine but dishes from across Asia and, more recently, North Africa and the Arab world.

Stephen Funnell, the chef and co-owner, refused to comment yesterday on his reasons for selling the business, which is nearly 20 years old.

He said it would be premature to talk about any immediate effect on the the restaurant.

He added: "Yes, this restaurant has a long history. Yes, it has been ground-breaking. Yes, it is a Brighton landmark and the place that founded fusion cooking.

"But it might be six to eight months down the line before we have found a buyer."

The restaurant began serving just Indian food but soon branched out to the extent that Mr Funnell was dubbed "the father of fusion food" in the AA good restaurants guide.

He once told a reviewer from The Argus: "A lot of popular restaurants are part of a chain. They have all the trappings to get the customers in but the last thing on the list is probably the food.

"Personally, I think food is the most important element of a restaurant, though I am painfully aware that there are things wrong with this place."

Thursday February 19, 2004