The Bombay Indian Restaurant was dismantled yesterday when owner John Roach had the sad task of selling off all the fixtures and fittings.

Dozens of people went to the restaurant on Reid Street to snap up the tables, chairs, lights, wall hangings and kitchen wear that had adorned the eatery in the Rego Building since it opened 14 years ago. The restaurant served food for the last time last Wednesday after Mr. Roach, who also owns Chopsticks and Rosa's Cantina, decided it was no longer viable.

But he was unable to sell the business after the owner of the building, David Rego, decided that the third floor space was not ideal for a restaurant, particularly as there had been problems with the elevator. Instead, he said he hoped to let it for office space. Yesterday, sat among the items on display for sale, Mr. Roach said: "Some of the things here are like old friends and it's nice that customers want them and have obviously appreciated them.

"We have been inundated with people today. I would say there has been about 60 people through here already, by 2 p.m.

"We even had bids on the tiger picture, so many people wanted it. And the large wicker, high-backed chairs have also been popular. I think those chairs personified the Bombay to me. It's nice to know they will be living on."

Mr. Roach said he had two successful restaurants, but said The Bombay had been struggling for some time.

He added: "To take the space and turn into a (new) restaurant costs too much money these days, so we decided to close, instead. That was the only option available. But we did not get anything for the sale of the place. There was no sale. It was just fixtures and fittings, and these are going to pay off the bills. It has been sad for me. I think it's been sad for everyone involved in the company. Fourteen years is a long time."

Five of the eight staff who worked at the restaurant will remain working in the other two restaurants. The remaining three are looking for work elsewhere. Items will continue to be on sale today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and tomorrow, but the restaurant will be cleared by the close of tomorrow.