A Caribbean restaurant chain set to open in Canterbury looks to have performed a shock U-turn as the city centre site has now been put up for rent.

Turtle Bay was due to launch its 43rd eatery in Butchery Lane following the conversion of three small shops into a large three-storey building.

But the site is now being marketed for rent just weeks after the chain mysteriously withdrew a licensing application to determine opening hours and conditions on alcohol sales.

Commercial agent Green & Partners lists the spot - opposite The Shakespeare pub - as available for an annual rent of £95,000.

The property had previously housed Optical Express, Oasis and Toni & Guy hairdressers, but work was carried out to knock the units through into one building.

The latest development will come as a blow to those eagerly awaiting Turtle Bay, which describes itself as “the best Caribbean food and bar in Britain”.

The company's property manager George Waite previously detailed how Canterbury had long been on its radar.

The plans had sparked anger from a city watchdog group called the Canterbury Heritage Design Forum in 2017. It claimed the increased footfall on the narrow street would "destroy its historic character".

The reasoning behind the apparent change of heart it is not yet known.

Turtle Bay was approached for comment.

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