Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar has axed plans to open his first Birmingham restaurant at the Mailbox.

Much anticipation surrounded the opening of celebrity chef Atul's new restaurant NRI at the Mailbox when the news of the move emerged in January last year.

The Mailbox officially announced the move two months later.

But after delaying the slated October 2017 opening date, BirminghamLive can reveal that Atul is now looking elsewhere in the city to open a restaurant.

A spokeswoman told BirminghamLive: “We plan to open a restaurant in Birmingham in the near future and we’re currently in discussions with landlords regarding the location.”

The spokeswoman said Atul did not wish to comment further.

Hoardings featuring the famous chef were put over the planned home for his restaurant at the front of the Mailbox - a 5,000 square feet unit previously let to Emporio Armani.

There were also CGIs released to show what the restaurant would look like .

NRI by Atul Kochhar was due to open last October
NRI by Atul Kochhar was due to open last October

At the time, Atul said: “I’m very excited to be opening my new concept in Birmingham, a city which I have long admired for its diversity and food culture."

Earlier this month the restaurant promotional hoardings were taken down.

A Mailbox spokeswoman told us: “The NRI vinyls were taken down because the license expired on the imagery.

"With regards to whether Atul is still coming to the Mailbox, there is no further update at this time.”

The NRI restaurant - which stands for Not Really Indian, would have been the first of its kind in the UK.

The menu was described as “showcasing high-quality but affordable spiced dishes that draw inspiration from the chef’s travels around the globe”.

Posters featuring Atul have been taken off the Mailbox unit previously the home of Emporio Armani at Mailbox

Chef Tom Aikens revealed Atul was opening in Birmingham, at the Mailbox launch of his own restaurant Tom’s Kitchen.

In a later interview with BirminghamLive in July last year, Tom who also runs Tom's Kitchen deli at the complex, said Atul had been questioning him about trade at the high-end shopping and lifestyle destination.

Tom told us: “Atul has been asking me lots of questions about what it’s like here, how’s business, how’s the location, that kind of thing.”

Celebrity chef Atul Kochhar
Celebrity chef Atul Kochhar

In September 2017 a spokesman revealed the planned October restaurant launch had been delayed due to a “number of factors”

Atul, a BBC show Saturday Kitchen regular, is only the second Indian chef to receive a Michelin star - awarded to his London restaurant Benares in 2007.

It regarded as one of the world’s best Indian restaurants.

Tom's Kitchen Deli at the Mailbox
Tom's Kitchen Deli at the Mailbox

The chef restaurateur also runs several other successful restaurants in the UK.

He recently displayed his sharp business sense on Channel 4 show Million Pound Menu - a foodie version of Dragon’s Den.

Atul appeared on the programme as one of ten potential investors who pored over the business plans of foodie entrepreneurs, weeding out weak profit margins or sums that didn't add up before deciding whether to hand over enough cash to help them open a restaurant.

David Pardoe, head of marketing, retail and tenant engagement at the Mailbox said: “There is no further update at this point in time.

New family run Italian eatery Pinochio's will replace Strada at the Mailbox
New family run Italian eatery Pinnochios will replace the closed Strada at the Mailbox

"We’re looking forward to welcoming a number of new retailers to the Mailbox over the coming months; including men’s footwear brand, English Brands; Burrows & Hare menswear; and Pinocchio’s – a new family run independent Italian restaurant which will open in September.”

Pinocchio’s will replace Strada, which closed in May.

Other restaurants at the Mailbox include Tom’s Kitchen and Gas Street Social.

Shops include Heal’s home interiors as well as fashionwear brands such as L.K Bennett and department store Harvey Nichols.