🏛️ Saving a Gem: How Jaflong Tandoori is Supporting St Richard's Church Heritage Restoration – A £2.5m Community Fight
- Jaflong Tandoori
- Nov 23, 2025
- 7 min read
Premium Indian Dining Meets Historic Preservation – Why Community Restaurants Must Support Community Landmarks
It's not every day you find a restaurant that cares as much about preserving community heritage as it does about serving exceptional food. But that's exactly what partnership looks like.
On Saturday, November 22nd, we had the honour of supporting St Richard's Church Ham's Christmas Fair – and in doing so, we became part of something far bigger than a single raffle prize. We became part of a movement to save one of Richmond's most architecturally significant buildings.
This is the story of why that matters, and why premium Indian restaurants have a responsibility to support the institutions that define our communities.
A Building Worth Saving: The Story Behind St Richard's Church
60 Years of Community Service
In September 2024, St Richard's Church celebrated an extraordinary milestone: 60 years since Norman Wates laid the foundation stone of this remarkable building. What started as an architectural vision has become the heart of a thriving community on the Wates Estate in Ham.
But more than just age, St Richard's Church commands respect for its architectural significance. In 2024, Historic England recognized its importance by adding it to the National Heritage List, describing it as:
"A striking and technically bold example of a post-war church, of special interest for its unusual plan, structural innovation and interior artwork."
This wasn't casual praise. Historic England was identifying a building of genuine national significance – a masterpiece of mid-century ecclesiastical design that deserves preservation for future generations.
The Crisis: Heritage At Risk
Yet here's the harsh reality that few people know: St Richard's Church is now in danger.
The long-term survival of this architectural gem is threatened by a catastrophic roof failure and severe water ingress. The damage is so serious that in April 2025, Historic England made an unprecedented decision: they added St Richard's to their "Heritage At Risk" register.
Let that sink in. A building celebrated for its architectural excellence is now officially at risk of deterioration beyond repair.
The numbers are sobering:
Cost to save the building: £2.5+ million
Already raised: £275,000 (through congregation fundraising and generous giving)
Still needed: Over £2.2 million
Timeline: Urgent (scaffolding canopy needed to prevent further deterioration)
The Architectural Importance Most People Miss
You might wonder: why should a community restaurant care about a church building?
Because St Richard's Church isn't just a place of worship – it's a piece of Britain's architectural heritage.
The Twentieth-Century Society, architectural experts, our local MP, Richmond Council, and the Southwark Diocese all agree: this building must be saved. The innovation in its design, the boldness of its structure, and the significance of its interior artwork make it irreplaceable.
Demolish it, and you lose not just a church – you lose a chapter of British architectural history.
Why Jaflong Tandoori Decided to Support This Cause
Community Restaurant. Community Values.
Here's what most restaurant owners don't understand: being a premium Indian restaurant isn't just about food quality – it's about being part of something meaningful.
At Jaflong Tandoori, we've never separated "great food" from "great values."
When we learned about St Richard's Church's restoration needs, the decision to support their Christmas Fair wasn't a marketing calculation. It was obvious. It was necessary. It was the only right choice.
Here's why:
1. St Richard's Church Defines Our Community
This isn't a distant institution. St Richard's Church is where our customers pray, marry, raise their children, and gather during life's most important moments. It's been serving Ham for 60 years – longer than most restaurants survive.
If we don't support institutions like St Richard's, who will?
2. Heritage Restoration Is Everyone's Responsibility
Britain's architectural heritage isn't preserved by government funding alone. It survives because local businesses, local people, and local communities step up.
When Historic England adds a building to the "Heritage At Risk" register, it's a call to action. It's saying: "This building is in danger. This community needs to respond."
We responded.
Premium Quality Demands Premium Values
Our customers choose Jaflong Tandoori because we're award-winning, family-run, and committed to excellence. But excellence isn't just about the food on your plate.
Excellence is about supporting the community that supports us. It's about values that go beyond profit margins. It's about understanding that a great restaurant exists within a great community – and if the community struggles, so does the restaurant.
Supporting St Richard's isn't charity. It's enlightened self-interest. It's understanding that building community loyalty means actually investing in the community.
The Christmas Fair: Community in Action
On Saturday, November 22nd, we witnessed something beautiful: a community coming together to support a cause that matters.
The Christmas Fair wasn't just a fundraising event. It was a statement of values. It said: "We love this building. We're going to save it. And we're going to do it together."
The fair featured:
Hot lunches and freshly prepared food (including our raffle prize)
Handmade cakes and festive treats from community members
Craft stalls and gift ideas supporting local makers
Kids' activities and entertainment
The Mayor of Richmond opening the fair (showing official community support)
A raffle with amazing prizes – from professional services to luxury experiences
Families came. Volunteers came. Local businesses came. And together, they contributed to saving their community's most precious architectural asset.
Jaflong Tandoori's Commitment: More Than a Raffle Prize
We donated a £20 premium gift voucher to the raffle – but this partnership goes far deeper than a single prize.
What We're Really Doing
Our Raffle Contribution:
£20 Jaflong Tandoori Digital Gift Voucher
Redeemable on our website: www.jaflongtandoori.com
Valid until June 30, 2026
Supporting genuine community fundraising
Our Ongoing Commitment:
Featuring St Richard's Church on our website as a community partner
Cross-promoting their events and heritage restoration appeal on our social media channels
Highlighting their architectural significance and fundraising needs to our customer base
Creating genuine community dialogue about heritage preservation
What This Means:When Jaflong customers see us supporting St Richard's Church, they understand something crucial: this is a restaurant that doesn't just operate in the community – it's invested in the community's future.
That builds trust. That builds loyalty. That builds the kind of long-term customer relationships that grow businesses sustainably.
The Numbers Behind the Crisis (Why This Matters)
Let's be direct about what's at stake:
St Richard's Church Restoration Appeal:
Total project cost: £2.5+ million
Already raised through fundraising: £275,000
National Lottery Heritage Fund development grant: Secured (significant stage)
Still needed: Over £2.2 million
Urgency level: CRITICAL (building added to "Heritage At Risk" register)
What Happens If We Don't Act:
Continued roof deterioration (water damage spreads)
Structural damage to the building's unique interior
Potential loss of an irreplaceable architectural gem
Damage to community identity and gathering space
Loss of 60 years of heritage
What Success Looks Like:
Roof fully repaired
Water ingress stopped
Scaffolding canopy removed
Building restored to its 1964 architectural glory
Protected for another 60+ years of community service
Award-Winning Indian Restaurant. Community-Driven Values.
At Jaflong Tandoori, our credentials aren't just about culinary excellence:
15+ Years of family-run operation
Award-winning tandoori cuisine
100+ vegetarian and vegan options
Sustainable sourcing from local suppliers
100% Halal certified
Community-focused partnership approach
But here's what really matters: we use our platform to support institutions that matter.
St Richard's Church is one of many community organizations we're proud to support. Because being a premium restaurant means more than serving food – it means serving community.
The Heritage Restoration Appeal: How You Can Help
St Richard's Church has launched an ambitious but necessary restoration campaign. Here's how the community – and businesses like Jaflong – are stepping up:
How to Support St Richard's Church
Direct Financial Support:
Just Giving Campaign: https://www.justgiving.com/strichardspcc-ham
Give A Little: https://givealittle.co/c/d42738e8-74ae-47b8-932d-226eac5b7603
Standing Order: Regular giving (most helpful long-term)
Gift Aid: Tax-efficient giving for UK taxpayers
Get Involved:
Attend community events like the Christmas Fair
Spread awareness about the Heritage At Risk status
Support local businesses who support St Richard's (like Jaflong Tandoori)
Share the story with your network
Contact St Richard's:
Email: roofappeal@btinternet.com
Website: www.strichardsham.com
Facebook: St Richard's Church Ham
Address: Ashburnham Road, Richmond, TW10 7NL
Why This Story Matters for Richmond's Future
St Richard's Church isn't just another building. It's a symbol of what happens when communities invest in heritage preservation.
When we support causes like this, we're saying: "We believe Richmond's future is built on Richmond's past. We believe architectural excellence matters. We believe community institutions deserve protection."
That conviction is worth preserving.
And it's why Jaflong Tandoori is proud to stand alongside St Richard's Church, not just as a sponsor, but as a genuine community partner committed to saving an irreplaceable architectural gem.
Support Heritage. Support Community. Support Jaflong Tandoori.
When you choose Jaflong Tandoori, you're choosing a restaurant that genuinely invests in its community.
Every meal you order, every voucher you redeem, every recommendation you make – it all supports a business that stands for something bigger than profit.
We're committed to:✅ Supporting local heritage and institutions✅ Serving award-winning, authentic Indian cuisine✅ Operating sustainably and ethically✅ Building a community, not just a customer base
Ready to experience premium Indian dining with community values?
📍 Visit Us: Ashburnham Road, Richmond, Ham TW10 7NF 📞 Call: 020 8332 1339 🌐 Order Online: www.jaflongtandoori.com 📧 Email: jaflongtandoori@outlook.com
Our Menu:
Authentic tandoori cuisine
Sustainable, locally-sourced ingredients
100% Halal certified
Follow Our Community Journey:
Instagram: @jaflongtandoori
Facebook: Jaflong Tandoori Richmond
Share This Story
Know someone who cares about heritage preservation? Share this article. Share St Richard's story. Share the mission to save an irreplaceable architectural gem.
Because communities are saved when community members take action.
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