Turtle Bay, the Caribbean-themed restaurant chain, has closed four of its UK locations with immediate effect, resulting in 76 redundancies. The closures come as the company cites 'significant economic headwinds' including rising energy costs, business rates, and ingredient prices.
Affected Sites and Staff Impact
The restaurants in Solihull, Walthamstow, York, and Middlesbrough have shut their doors. The chain now operates 49 sites across the UK, employing around 1,500 staff. The closures were part of a Company Voluntary Agreement (CVA) proposal approved by creditors Interpath.
CVA Approval and Future Plans
The CVA, a process allowing struggling businesses to pay off debt over a set period while continuing to trade, was approved on July 16, 2026. As part of the agreement, an additional 30% of Turtle Bay locations will undergo rent renegotiations with landlords.
Ajith Jayawickrema, founder and chief executive of Turtle Bay, stated: 'Securing approval for our CVA proposals provides us with a stable platform for the long-term future of Turtle Bay as we protect the majority of jobs and sites, address challenges in the business, and continue investing in our restaurants. While we have had to make difficult decisions along the way, we believe that we now have a sustainable business at its core and can look forward with confidence.'
Industry-Wide Challenges
Turtle Bay is not alone in facing financial difficulties. Pizza Hut closed nearly 70 UK restaurants last year, and London pasta chain Spaghetti House shut all its locations earlier in 2026. Pub chain Brewdog has also closed several sites amid economic struggles.
The hospitality sector continues to grapple with soaring costs and changing consumer habits, leading to concerns about the health of the UK high street.
