I fled Syria with just £12 … now I have my own restaurant in Soho

Imad Alarnab lost everything to the war. He never dreamed he could rebuild his restaurants in the UK

When Imad Alarnab, a Syrian chef, arrived in the UK as a refugee five years ago, he could barely afford to eat. Meals were regularly skipped and a Snickers bar could be eked out over a whole day to help him survive. On Monday, the 43-year-old father of three will be celebrating lockdown rules easing with a fairytale twist: Alarnab will be opening the doors to his very own central London restaurant.

This is not because I am strong or brave," says Alarnab, who begins to well up as staff scurry through the restaurant, prepping for their first service. I am proof that if you try to do something good for people, something good will happen to you. This is a fact."