Colmore Row to welcome award-winning Jamaican restaurant

An award-winning Jamaican restaurant is to open its first outlet in Birmingham.

Jamaya has signed a 10-year lease on a 1,911 sq ft ground floor unit at 126 Colmore Row.

The Jamaican restaurant was selected after property consultancy FHP received multiple bids on the space, which occupies a prime pitch on Colmore Row at its junction with Victoria Square.

The UK’s first gourmet Jamaican fried chicken restaurant, Jamaya serves a variety of chicken-based and vegetarian dishes, as well as soft and alcoholic drinks and cocktails.

Famed for its vibrant Jamaican reggae atmosphere, Jamaya was founded by Byron Carnegie.

Named after his daughter, Maya, the Jamaician restaurant opened its first outlet in Touchwood Shopping Centre in Solihull in 2019 was crowned Business of the Year by Solihull’s Chamber of Commerce.

Carnegie said: “After a long search to find the perfect venue in the city we call home, myself and the team at Jamaya couldn’t be more excited about securing this first-class location on Colmore Row.

“Birmingham is transforming day by day and we can’t wait to open our next restaurant and bar in the heart of this amazing city.”

Doug Tweedie, FHP director and head of Birmingham office, said: “It’s great to announce that a new restaurant operator is coming to Birmingham. We received a significant amount of interest in the space and following multiple bids, our landlord client chose Jamaya, and we couldn’t be happier that they did.

“Birmingham’s leisure market has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic but it’s been encouraging to see how many new and exciting concepts are looking to come to the city. Jamaya currently trades successfully in Solihull and being situated between Colmore Row and the Paradise development, they’ve chosen a great place to grow their brand.”

Jamaya was represented by Andrew Thompson of AMT Commercial.