Tributes to landlord who helped shape the Desi pub culture

Tributes have been paid to a West Bromwich pub owner who helped shape the Black Country's Desi pub culture and brought generations of families together.

The family of Suresh "Suki" Patel, who ran The Vine in West Bromwich, announced his passing on Friday, from a short illness. He has been remembered for his contribution to the local community and the culinary legacy he left behind.

Jag Nijjer, who spoke about Patel's influence, said The Vine was far more than a restaurant, describing it as a place that brought together people from different cultures, religions and generations.

"He didn't just feed the community, he helped bring people together. Restaurants come and go, but this was an institution," Nijjer said.

He added: "It was just a remarkable legacy, and one that will live on in hearts, minds, and taste buds."

The pub became known for its authentic Indian food, including marinated chicken wings, curries, naan bread and its signature chutney, as well as The Vine's authentic British Asian mixed- grill, which became a favourite on the menu.

The place also holds a personal significance for Nijjer, who recalled visiting it with four generations of his family.

"I'd be there with my grandad [and] my dad. It was three generations, and then my nephew has been too, so there [would] have been four generations sitting in The Vine, sharing food and conversation."

He said it had become an important meeting place, reflecting the role independent venues, such as The Vine, played in the social and cultural life of the Black Country.

The author of Desi Pubs: A Guide to British-Indian Pubs, Food and Culture, David Jesudason, met the local legend on his travels visiting Desi landlords around the country who have stamped their unique identity on the British pub scene.

The Vine owner was one of the longest-serving landlords having owned the pub since 1978.

"One of the best things he did was popularise Indian food in pubs.

"Desi pubs first started out as a safe space for Indian people to drink when they were trying to find a place that was going to serve them and not segregate them under the colour bar," he said.

The colour bar operated by not allowing non-white people to enter premises, not allowing them to be served, and forcing them to drink in certain rooms.

Suki's son Bharat Patel said he wanted to keep his father's legacy alive.

"He told us 'you guys look after The Vine', this was his baby so we will honour that and look after it for him."

The term "desi pub" is commonly used to described venues run by people of Indian origin offering food as well as beer.

"As little kids we used to live upstairs... it was hectic but we loved it, we were surrounded by so many lovely people who welcomed us into the community.

"Dad didn't want to segregate anybody, it was a mixture of all types of people and I remember going downstairs and there would be the milk man in one corner, business people, office people it was just a great vibe with local people as well."

West Bromwich MP Sarah Coombes also paid tribute to Patel, describing him as a "local legend" and a pioneer.

She said opening a traditional British pub serving Indian food had been a brave business decision that had helped establish the Desi pub as one of the Black Country's best-loved establishments.

"The Vine is an absolute landmark venue for us all locally and the Desi pub is now one of the Black Country's most-loved institutions.

"I want to pay tribute to the impact he's had on West Brom, and for the legacy he has left."

Coombes also recalled seeing Patel reading his daily newspaper at the pub and said she was glad to have heard his stories about its early days.

Nijjer added: "The Vine wasn't simply somewhere you went to eat, it was somewhere [to] create memories with friends and loved ones."

Since his family made the announcement, more than 860 tributes have been left on The Vine's Facebook page in tribute to Patel.

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