Crowds pack Victoria Road in Ruislip Manor for free food at new halal takeaway

A large crowd gathered on Victoria Road in Ruislip Manor on Wednesday 7 October when a new halal takeaway gave away free food to mark its opening.

Shah's Halal Food, at 86 Victoria Road, had announced a grand opening with free platters between 2pm and 4pm, just a few minutes' walk from Ruislip Manor Underground station.

Footage shared with UB1UB2 shows dozens of people, many of them young people in school uniform, packed onto the pavement outside the shop. Red, black and yellow balloons hang over the entrance, and many in the crowd are holding up their phones to film.

Word spread quickly

Locals said word of the giveaway got round fast. The event fell in mid-afternoon, around the end of the school day, and that is likely why so many pupils joined the queue.

The crowd spilled across the pavement on one of Ruislip Manor's main shopping streets. The parade runs close to the station and is home to a mix of independent shops, cafes and takeaways.

Shah's Halal Food later thanked everyone who came out to support the opening and said that, despite the rain, people had shown the new branch "so much love".

It is not known how many platters were handed out. There have been no reports of any incidents during the event.

About the new branch

The takeaway serves platters of meat or falafel over rice, gyro sandwiches, salads and sides. Its listing says the Ruislip branch is open from 11am to 11pm, seven days a week.

The UK business, which has its head office in Harrow, runs a growing network of branches across London. Others in the Hillingdon area are listed in Northwood and on Pield Heath Road in Uxbridge.

The free platters were offered for the opening event only. The business has not announced any further giveaways at the Ruislip Manor branch.

Opening-day crowds

Free food at a new opening often draws big queues across West London, especially when it is shared widely online and falls around school finishing times.

Ruislip Manor sits in the London Borough of Hillingdon, between Ruislip and Eastcote. It is served by the Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines at Ruislip Manor station, which opens directly onto Victoria Road.