By Chris Irvine

MILLIONAIRE tycoon Duncan Bannatyne may have rejected it, but Glasgow's curry king knows a hot business venture when he sees it.

Charan Gill, the man behind the Harlequin group of Indian restaurants, has become a shareholder and non-executive director at the West Brewing Company - the microbrewery and restaurant famously knocked back for funding in BBC2's Dragons' Den.

The venue, at the former Templeton carpet factory at Glasgow Green, went into administration last month, as reported by the Evening Times.

But German owner Petra Wetzel and her company Noah Beers took it over - and were determined to make it succeed.

Now Mr Gill has revealed he has invested in the brewery - which is inspired by Germany's microbreweries - after falling in love with the buzz of the German-style beer hall. He says profits are 30% up on last year.

Mr Gill, who sold his Indian restaurant empire for £16million, said: "As soon as I walked into the beer hall I was smitten - the bar has such a great atmosphere; there was a great buzz about the place.

"I feel my experience in the hospitality sector can contribute to the success of the company and already we have had friends visiting the bar who didn't even known the place existed.

"They can't believe such a gem could exist in the East End."

The West Brewing Company venue opened in March 2006, despite the rejection by Mr Bannatyne, from Clydebank, on Dragons' Den.

As well as a brewery, it is also home to a 440-seater beer hall and restaurant and has more than 20 staff.

West's products are also the only beers in the UK that meet the Reinheitsgebot, a piece of German legislation that ensures only the finest, purest beer is deemed fit for consumption.

Ms Wetzel said: "With Charan on board West will go from strength to strength and we have big plans for the future of the brand."

The brewery plans to launch a range of premium bottled lagers this summer, while they are also busy closing deals with pubs and restaurants.

Many have already committed to sell the draught products in their establishments.