Bath’s standing as a city for food lovers will be further strengthened next month when Bristol-based Caribbean restaurant chain Turtle Bay opens.
The group is moving into part of the former Duck Son and Pinker music store site on Bridge Street. It is spending £900,000 converting the 5,000 sq ft space into a 150-seat restaurant and bar serving high-quality Caribbean food in a very relaxed atmosphere.
Turtle Bay, launched by Las Iguanas co-founder and entrepreneur Ajith Jayawickrema, has already opened in Milton Keynes, Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham, Leicester, Leamington Spa, Nottingham and Southampton. Last year it secured a £5.75m investment from Piper Private Equity to fund its rapid expansion. 
Ajith Jayawickrema said: “I have had a love affair with Bath for many years and it has never waned. I am excited about opening Turtle Bay in the city.
Pictured: The interior of Turtle Bay in Bristol
“Everyone involved in this this project has been enormously helpful and in particular the planners, council and police. We will deliver a completely authentic quality Caribbean culinary experience with food, drink, décor, entertainment and personal service to visitors and the community at large, we are committed to bringing delicious and new Caribbean food to the table for Bath diners to savour and enjoy.”
Operations director Stephen Entwhistle added: “What is fantastic about the city of Bath apart from the historic buildings, is the growing global food culture and the current range and variety of Bath’s food offering.
“We are proud to be joining this community and looking forward to placing well-known and not so well known Caribbean dishes right in the heart of the city.”
The Bath outlet will open on June 26. Sixty staff are being recruited.
