Soul Kitchen to replace Sri Lankan restaurant in Bristol

The former Pearl of Sri Lanka restaurant in Bristol's Clifton Village is to be converted into an eaterie specialising in American Deep South cuisine by new owner Charley Bolding-Smith.

The business occupies the ground and lower ground floors of a mid-terraced period property in Regent Street, one of the city's most popular areas among national restaurant operators.

The venue will offer a funky and informal ambience under the tag "Loud Food and Spicy Music".

Head chef Danny Jordan is known locally for his stints at the city's Berkeley Square hotel and the Rodney hotel where he scooped an AA rosette last year.

The Bristol office of Christie + Co sold the 20-year lease (which started in December 1999) off an asking price of £55,000 on behalf of Yvonne Perera. Annual rent is currently £17,000.

By Angela Frewin