Sampling the food at Turtle Bay

Caribbean restaurant Turtle Bay has officially opened its doors in one of the largest restaurant launches in Preston.

Located at the bottom of Crystal House with views onto the Flag Market and Fishergate the restaurant will be able to seat 175 diners.

Hundreds of hungry Prestonians packed in on Thursday night to enjoy a taste of the tropical and test out the jerk chicken.

Blog Preston competition winners each brought a friend and enjoyed a night out in the city centre.

The restaurant is the second to open this week following Olive Tree Brasserie opening in the Miller Arcade.

Turtle Bay has created around 60 jobs with many of the waitresses and bar staff being put through their paces on opening night.

Fran Toal, general manager of Preston Turtle Bay, was confident they could succeed in the city.

He said: “I keep being asked ‘why Preston?’. I respond with why not? It’s a growing city and still a relatively young one.

“This is a great location onto a historic part of Preston and I think we’re offering something different for the people of the city to enjoy.”

Councillors from Preston City Council were out in force attending the launch, including the current Mayor Nick Pomfret and former Mayor councillor Carl Crompton who got his selfie on for this slightly disturbing picture.

@prestonlabour @prestonyounglab preston posy at the grand opening of the Turtle Bay restaurant on the fag market, pic.twitter.com/5lwZkrixVm

— Cllr Carl Crompton (@2012GuildMayor) November 27, 2014

Gemma Ball perhaps summed up the opening night with her tweet.

She said: “I’ve woken from a rum slumber in a jerk seasoned haze, great night @Turtlebayuk in Preston, thanks @blogpreston. The food was awesome.”

Turtle Bay opens to the public on Friday 28 November.

Let us know in the comments below what you think of the place