The Coconut Tree to open Bath restaurant this spring

The new restaurant will open on Broad Street in late spring. It will join venues in Cardiff, Bristol, Oxford, Cheltenham and Bournemouth.

It follows a two-year long search for the right location, according to brand director Anna Garrod.

“Though trading conditions have been incredibly tough over the last 12 months, we had a good August, September, and October last year despite the restrictions, and demand for what we do is still strong. We feel now is the right time for us to keep pushing The Coconut Tree forwards," she says.

"We were founded in the South West and it has been instrumental to our success. We have been looking for a site in Bath for the last two years, but it's such a sought-after location and rents for independents are high, understandably so. Luckily, the landlord for this site is Bristol based; he knew of our brand and history, and was keen to see us in Bath. He made us a commercial offer that would make this possible."

As with its other venues, the menu at the new restaurant will comprise tapas-style plates including hot battered spicy cuttlefish; hoppers; cheese cubes fried and mixed Colombo style; and Jaffna goat curry with potato as well as larger sharing dishes of meat or fish cooked in spices, then stir fried with traditional banana peppers and crushed chillies.

The Coconut Tree was founded by Five Sri Lankan friends living in Cheltenham. Praveen Thanginah, Dan Fernando and Shamil Fernando oversee the food while the board of directors comprises Mithra Fernando, Rodrigo Rashinthe, and Anna Garrod.