Jerk Junction to open first shopping centre location

Launching in September, the Manchester-based group, which has three outposts in the city alongside sites in Sheffield and Wilmslow, Cheshire, will occupy a 917sq ft space in the shopping centre’s Orient food court.

The menu will feature signature dishes such as jerk chicken, curried goat, and vegetarian options like Ital stew, all served with rice and peas and prepared with traditional spices.

“The Trafford Centre is iconic, especially its food court, but there’s a huge gap for authentic Jamaican food, so we are super proud to be a homegrown brand that can really bring that heat and represent the island,” says Jake Shaffi, Jerk Junction founder.

“Opening at the Trafford Centre is a huge achievement for us, the fact that we will be positioned next to so many global brands, it really sets the tone for the levels we are taking Jerk Junction to.

“We cannot wait to reach new customers and continue our mission to make authentic Jamaican food more accessible in the UK.”

Jerk Junction first launched in Chorlton back in 2013 and has been led by Shaffi since 2020.

The group’s original Chorlton restaurant was forced to close last summer following a huge fire that left the site partially gutted.

In an Instagram post​​ earlier this week, the group announced that the restaurant would finally reopen on 5 August.

“We are back on home turf where we belong,” the caption read.

“After a year of hell, We can’t wait to finally be back home bigger and better than ever!”