Bosses behind a popular sports bar say their second Kent venue will be open within months.

Matches, which has been in Ashford for two years, will launch a new site in Butchery Lane, Canterbury, this autumn.

It will be spread across three floors in a long-empty building opposite the Shakespeare pub, which previously housed Optical Express, Oasis, and Toni and Guy hairdressers.

In 2018, the three units were knocked into one, which will now be transformed into the bar, with two large private function and karaoke rooms, an outdoor terrace and self-pour beer taps.

Jon Shephard, the founder of Matches, said: "We're thrilled to bring the Matches experience to Canterbury.

"Our success in Ashford has inspired us to expand, and we're excited to introduce our unique blend of sports, entertainment, and socialising to the vibrant Canterbury community."

Plans to make changes to the long-empty 11-14 Butchery Lane site were lodged with the city council last August.

It followed an original proposal by Caribbean-themed restaurant chain Turtle Bay to open at the renovated unit.

However, the project was scrapped during the height of the pandemic, and the firm’s interest in launching in the city dwindled.

Matches stepped in, and says the new site will also have darts, cashless pool, shuffleboard, sub-soccer, karaoke, board games, beer pong and retro gaming consoles.

It will also feature Canterbury’s first self-pour beer wall, with local and national craft beers.

Its street kitchen will serve burgers, sticky wings and strips, pizza, loaded fries and sides.

The Ashford branch, located on the town’s Elwick Place complex by the Picturehouse cinema, has proved a hit with revellers since opening in 2021.

Numerous TV screens showcasing any sport from football to MotoGP are scattered around the venue, while colourful memorabilia adorns the walls.