Natty's Jerk crowdfunds £22,000 for permanent restaurant

Caribbean food brand Natty's Jerk is to open a permanent restaurant in Portsmouth after crowdfunding over £20,000.

The family-run business started as a street food van in 2019 and has traded from various sites but has yet to find a long-term home.

Now the team is to open a Boxpark-style site, named Natty's Jerk Shack, opposite Portsmouth and Southsea station after raising £22,750 from 200 supporters on crowdfunding platform Crowdfunder.

Plans include taking over a semi-converted shipping container and installing decking for outdoor seating, a shelter roof, heat lamps, and warm throws for cold nights.

It will be decorated with tropical trees and the team will work with local artists.

Current takeaway dishes include a box of jerk chicken leg and thigh (bone in) slow jerked over charcoal and wood served with rice and peas, plantain, slaw and salad.

Natty's Jerk wrote on Instagram: "Thank you so much to everyone who supported us throughout our crowdfunding campaign – we're so excited to get to work on Natty's Shack and bring our vision to life!"

For more information on the Crowdfund click here.

Image: Natty's Jerk / Crowdfunder