THE spirit of the Caribbean will be created in the heart of Oxford when a new restaurant opens.

Turtle Bay will bring rum, reggae and jerk chicken to the city next Friday when the new eaterie opens in Friars Entry off Magdalen Street.

The UK chain is moving into the building that previously housed pub Far From the Madding Crowd, which closed in January after 13 years in the city.

Turtle Bay was criticised in August this year after it was revealed it takes a cut of the tips earned by their waiting staff.

The restaurant was found to operate a policy that requires staff to pay back to their employer three per cent of the table sales they generate on each shift.

A spokesman for Turtle Bay said its policy was the fairest way of ensuring all staff were rewarded, including those in the kitchen and bar.

The Oxford restaurant, which will create up to 60 jobs, can seat up to 110 people and has an outdoor eating area.

Founder and director Ajith Jayawickrema said: “Turtle Bay has grown significantly over the past 24 months and it’s fantastic to see this expansion continuing into Oxford. We’re really excited to bring the heart and soul of the Caribbean to one of the most prestigious cities in the UK.”