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Look inside Liverpool’s newest restaurant, Turtle Bay, which opens in Victoria Street on Friday.

It’s in the grade II listed Produce Exchange building on Victoria Street, going right through to Mathew Street.

Founder Ajith Jayawickrema explains: “Turtle Bay is a Caribbean restaurant and bar, with a focus on great drinks and amazing authentic food, cooked fresh on the premises. If I could describe Turtle Bay in three words it would be: Rum; Reggae; and Jerk. We have more than 30 rums in our bar, the atmosphere is always filled with the best Caribbean sounds, and Jerk takes centre stage on our menu as well as favourites like curried goat. At Turtle Bay you feel like you are on holiday in the sunshine, right in the heart of the city.”

The restaurant will seat 140 covers, with a vibrant bar area for guests to relax and soak up the laid back atmosphere.

The team say they can’t wait to meet their Liverpool customers.

Ajith says: “Liverpool has such a huge heritage connection with the Caribbean thanks to its port, but we feel there is little expression of this connection present in the city at the moment. We’re hoping Turtle Bay will change that.

“Due to the huge musical influence of Turtle Bay, and to accent its position right next to the Cavern Club, we have used vinyl records to adorn the walls as well as iconic faces as art work. After all, no Caribbean bar would be complete without Bob Marley!

“Turtle Bay Matthew Street also boasts a veranda which opens out to Matthew Street so our customers can soak up the electric atmosphere the street is so famous for. I think our open kitchen will also add to that atmosphere perfectly.

“The challenge has been to design a very stylised restaurant in what is essentially a Victorian banking hall, but we have worked very closely with the council at every stage of the project to make the very most of the space. And it’s the space - with its high ceilings and huge amounts of light - that has made it such a special and exciting development for us. We’re thrilled with the results so far and can’t wait to unveil it to the people of Liverpool.”

For more information follow @Turtlebayuk on Twitter and Instagram or visit: www.turtlebay.co.uk