THE biggest curry house in Glasgow is set to open on the site of a derelict hotel.

Entrepreneur Archie Sharif will launch the mammoth Indian restaurant as part of a £9million redevelopment of the landmark Kelvin Park Lorne Hotel.

The 39-year-old, who also owns Modern Indian on West Regent Street, bought the hotel in March last year and planned to finish the development by the end of 2007.

But he decided to turn the A-listed building into a four-star boutique hotel while pursuing his dream of building the city's - and possibly even Scotland's - biggest Indian restaurant.

The curry house, which opens in October, brings to an end years of uncertainty over the future of the hotel which closed seven years ago.

Archie said: "Part of the hold up of the development was getting the interior design right.

"Originally the plan was to refurbish the hotel to a three-star standard but we decided instead to aim for four stars, which has led to the delay."

"The restaurant is in the extension to the building and we have spent a fortune on buying reclaimed stone that will carry the look of the original building.

"I think we are building Scotland's biggest curry house.

"We will have up to 300 covers in a completely new restaurant."

Originally plans were lodged by an English firm to turn the site into a hostel for asylum seekers.

But permission for a change of use was turned down after protests from residents.

Then in 2003 developers wanted to turn the site into flats but that plan was also dropped and the hotel has lain empty for years. The Lorne revamp will be a boost for the Kelvingrove part of Sauchiehall Street - an area caught between the city centre and the West End.

In recent months a number of new venues have opened nearby including fish restaurant Blas and Big Slope, formerly Cafe Organic.

Archie said: "We will be good for the area and the location is a benefit.

"Once open we will be able to compete with the city centre and West End hotels."

Martin Lawrence, formerly of the Dakota, One Devonshire Gardens and Malmaison, has been appointed manager.

Archie has also hired outfitters New Concept, which won the contract for the Dome in London, to help design the bars and restaurant. Oran Mor designer Surface will create the bedrooms.