Furniture ripped out of former Turtle Bay in Middlesbrough

Turtle Bay shut the doors to its venue on Corporation Road in Middlesbrough in July as part of a major restructure of the Caribbean-themed brand. 

The site, which opened in the former Walkabout Australian Bar in 2017, was one of three penned for closure in a bid to secure the chain’s long-term future. 

And now, weeks after it stopped welcoming punters in the town centre, new photos show how the windows have been whitewashed and furniture ripped out. 

Booths and other wooden furniture are stacked in the former beer garden, while tables remain in place.

The former Turtle Bay in Middlesbrough (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

It is not known what will become of the former Turtle Bay in the town, which was known for serving Caribbean food, curries, and cocktails. 

The chain continues to operate sites on The Riverwalk in Durham, on Newgate Street in Newcastle, and at The Light in Leeds. 

When the closure of the Middlesbrough site was announced, founder Ajith Jayawickrema said: “We believe we now have a sustainable business at its core.

The former Turtle Bay in Middlesbrough (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

"However, like much of the UK hospitality sector, Turtle Bay continues to face significant economic headwinds.”

Mr Jayawickrema became an investor in 2013 before buying Turtle Bay back from private equity firm Piper in May last year.

Since the change in ownership, Turtle Bay said it had widened its food and drinks range, tightened standards and invested in recruitment and training.

But it admitted that rising costs, weaker consumer spending and changing footfall had put pressure on the business to cut costs.

Turtle Bay hoped closing the Middlesbrough restaurant and others would help it tackle outstanding debts while serving customers elsewhere.

The closures were announced as part of proposals for a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), a formal process allowing Turtle Bay to renegotiate its debts while continuing to trade.