PRESS RELEASE: 8TH DECEMBER 2015
TURTLE BAY LEEDS ANNOUNCE PAY AS YOU FEEL OPENING DAY TO RAISE MONEY FOR LEEDS WEST INDIAN CENTRE CHARITABLE TRUST
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: 15TH DECEMBER 2015
WHAT: GROUP FROM THE CENTRE POSE WITH COCKTAILS AND SAMPLES OF THE MENU.
WHERE: TURTLE BAY LEEDS! THE LIGHT, THE HEADROW, LEEDS, LS1 8TL.
WHEN: 15TH DECEMBER, 11AM.
Caribbean restaurant and bar, Turtle Bay, has today announced a partnership with established local organisation, the Leeds West Indian Centre Charitable Trust.
Turtle Bay is opening at The Light on 15th December.
On 15th December, the first official day of trading for the restaurant, Turtle Bay customers will not be given a bill, instead they’ll be asked to pay whatever they think their food was worth. All the money raised from the ‘pay as you feel’ donations on the opening day will then be donated to the Leeds West Indian Centre Charitable Trust. Turtle Bay have pledged to match the amount that customers donate, in a bid to fund the continuation of a special project for the Centre.
The Leeds West Indian Centre Charitable Trust is currently fundraising, amongst other things, for a Friday Luncheon Club for the elderly. The aim is to allow elderly members of the community to socialise and enjoy a nutritious, home cooked Caribbean lunch, together on a weekly basis. They also work with volunteers to take the Caribbean soups out to the homes of the elderly in the community. All of the money raised by Turtle Bay on their opening day will go directly to this fund and it is hoped that the total raised will be enough to cover the entire cost of continuing to provide this valuable service at the Centre for the coming year and beyond.
Ajith Jayawakimera, Turtle Bay’s Founder said:
“We’re really delighted to have organised this partnership with the Leeds West Indian Centre Charitable Trust. They’re such an established and key part of the city – an inspiring example of community spirit. We were keen to help them continue to flourish in the city that we’re about to become part of. This idea means that the better our staff do during opening day, the more we’ll raise for the Centre!”
Dr Carl Hylton, Chairperson for LWICCT said:
“We’re delighted to be working with Turtle Bay, it’s great that they’re getting involved with the local community. The Luncheon Club provides a vital service for many, especially for those whose homes we visit - it’s an important part of their week. We rely entirely on our wonderful volunteers, many of whom drive the lunches around the neighbourhoods and spend time with the elderly too, so it’s a really strong community initiative all round. We hope the funds raised from this unique partnership with Turtle Bay will ensure that we are able to continue our fantastic Luncheon Club for the whole of next year.”
Turtle Bay’s new Leeds restaurant will seat 150 covers, over an impressive 4200 sq ft space at The Light.The new venture has created 60 jobs.
FAST FACTS:
60 jobs created
150 cover restaurant
£1m investment
Stand alone bar offering.
50+ authentic Caribbean dishes.
RESTAURANT DETAILS:
Turtle Bay Leeds,
14 The Light,
The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 8TL
Turtle Bay Leeds
leeds@turtleybay.co.uk
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For media enquiries, interview requests and imagery, please contact:
Siobhan Hanley
Siobhan Hanley Communications
siobhan@siobhanhanley.com
07793 279276
Notes for Editors:
Terms and Conditions of the Above:
Customers will be asked to pay what they feel for their food rather than pay the price displayed on the menu.
Minimum donation £1, maximum donation – the usual full price of the meal.
Drinks are not included in the scheme and must be paid for separately.
Pay as you feel opening day is from 12noon – 9pm.
Tables can be booked online, via calling the number above, or customers can just turn up on the day.
More details on Turtle Bay
Turtle Bay celebrates the lively, colourful, soulful and, above all, delicious experiences that the Caribbean has to offer - from rich and explosive flavours to laid back ‘liming’. Their mission is to capture the spirit of celebration that the Caribbean is famed for around the globe - making customers happy by delivering a hedonistic combination of joyous food, delightful drinks and a fun, laidback atmosphere.
Turtle Bay is a democratic destination – CEOs are as welcome as students. Its accessible, its sociable, it’s welcoming, and it’s Leeds’ brand new Caribbean dining and drinking experience.
Turtle Bay is designed to create the perfect atmosphere for enjoying bold, spicy food and drink, and its ‘look’ is as vibrant and lively as you might expect. The new Leeds restaurant will be no exception. Each restaurant is created bespoke for its site and city. The result is always an eclectic, unique and considered interior that creates a joyful backdrop for gorgeous Caribbean dining. Leeds food lovers can expect individually designed wall illustrations, reclaimed food crates and even shipping container dining!
The central island bar, and indoor ‘veranda’ style drinking spaces mean that those who just want to just enjoy the, now legendary, Turtle Bay happy hour can do so without dining too.
Turtle Bay’s happy hour lasts from 11.30am – 7pm and then starts up again at 10pm! This makes it the happiest happy hour in the city with ALL of their cocktails available at 241 during that time – it’s a must for cocktail lovers and rum enthusiasts all week long.
Authentic, delicious food:
Food is at the heart of the Turtle Bay experience – just like its central to the heart and soul of Caribbean culture. An eclectic cuisine that is influenced by a rich tapestry of ethnicities, the food at Turtle Bay offers a vast choice of bold flavours and rustic authentic dishes, all inspired by the laid back, social outlook of the Caribbean. The menu is meticulously researched and lovingly created.
Dishes are brimming with zesty flavours and spicy hues – there’s plenty to share or dig into alone.
The offering includes ‘Cutters’ (inspired by Beach Shacks and Street Hawkers of the Caribbean Islands - perfect for sharing over cocktails); the Jerk BBQ Pit (which is exactly as fiery as it sounds); ‘One Pots’ (rich, slowly simmered and uniquely Caribbean) and Lunch and Light (a briefer encounter with the Caribbean). Signature dishes include their now famous Jerk Chicken, Jerk Prawns, Turtle Bay Patties, Trini Doubles and Curry Goat.
This is fuss-free soul food for individuals that love, and live, to eat!
Cool, Creative Cocktails… A Celebration of Rum!
Inspired by a culture that brought us Bob Marley, the cocktail menu at Turtle Bay is as cool and credible as you’d expect. Naturally, rum is at the heart of the list. Turtle Bay use Blackwell Rum created by Island Records founder Chris Blackwell who, amongst other things, launched Bob Marley’s career. It’s characteristically Jamaican rum with a dark hue and spicy kick.
This is only one brand though, of a list taking in more than 40 Caribbean rums at Turtle Bay’s beach shack bar. The range takes in the full breadth of the Caribbean - from Mount Gay’s Bajan to Appleton Estate’s Jamaican rum, and everything in between, all at the same price!
The resulting cocktail menu is a refreshing mix of contemporary and classic Caribbean cocktails. Some specials include…
Marley Mojito: Appleton Special rum, midori, fresh mint & watermelon, home-made ginger beer
Tobago Tea: Rum, tequila, vodka, gin, triple sec, fresh lemon, mango & lemonade
Good Vibes…
The Turtle Bay service is friendly and uncomplicated.
The Leeds team will be selected after a rigorous ‘audition’ process – from psychometric tests to limbo dancing! The Turtle Bay ethos is that the people must be as passionate about the product as its creators - customers can expect a warm welcome from a team who love what they do.
More details on the Leeds West Indian Centre and Charitable Trust.
Leeds West Indian Centre
The Leeds West Indian Centre was started in 1985 – and therefore for nearly 30 years this community centre has provided a venue for people of African descent and others to meet and socialise, plan and execute social justice campaigns and use as office spaces for Leeds West Indian Centre Charitable Trust, a women’s group and a Caribbean domino club. The Centre’s use as a music venue for all age and ethnic groups is legendary.
Leeds West Indian Centre Charitable Trust
Leeds West Indian Centre Charitable Trust is based at the Leeds West Indian Centre. Since 2000 this TRUST has developed a range of social justice projects that help to promote and celebrate the history and culture of people of African Caribbean and African descents. They are also tasked to act as the cultural arm of the Centre to help build and sustain programmes of arts, education, culture and history-based events at the Centre.
The TRUST’s present work include a social justice project called RACE CARD; a role model programme; self-build consultancy; gardening club; wildlife garden and Friday cooked meals for the local community, especially the over 70s.
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For media enquiries, interview requests and imagery, please contact:
Siobhan Hanley
Siobhan Hanley Communications
siobhan@siobhanhanley.com
07793 279276
