A MAJOR CARIBBEAN restaurant and bar chain threw open its doors in a Hampshire city following an £800,000 transformation.

Turtle Bay held a launch party for its Winchester branch, having opened at £750,000 restaurant in Southampton's Cultural Quarter back in 2011.

The new 166-seater restaurant on the corner of Jewry Street and St George's Street is at the site formerly occupied by Toni & Guy hair salon.

The branch, which has created around 50 jobs, held auditions which Turtle Bay said were designed to bring out each candidate’s personality.

The chain, known for its jerk chicken and two-for-one cocktails during its happy hours, has 35 restaurants nationwide.

The opening party saw guests sample the brand’s rum cocktail collection and food before dancing the night away to live music from Laid Blak and Troy Ellis.

Turtle Bay’s signature dishes include their jerk chicken and curry goat, but there’s also a new burger menu, salad selection and a collection of dishes for vegetarians, vegans and gluten free diners.

More than 40 rums are available, including white, dark, spiced and overproof, all used to create an array of classic cocktails.

Its famous Happy Hour lasts from 11.30am to 7pm and then starts up again at 10pm.

The national chain, which is backed by private equity firm Piper, was founded by Ajith Jaya-Wickrema, who also co-founded Las Iguanas.

Toni & Guy salon, which occupied the site for more than 20 years, moved to Southgate Street in April in 2016, leaving the premises vacant.