The owner of a hugely popular restaurant where diners regularly queue out of the door is preparing to launch a second site in Kent.

Tim Biggs has run Deal Pier Kitchen since 2019 but has been looking to expand his business for the last two years.

He has now taken on the former Mahoney's coffee shop in Bridge, near Canterbury, and will reopen the site as Flo and Ted’s Coffee House later this year.

The 34-year-old has started renovations and has named the shop after his two children - Florence and Teddy - who both go to school in the village.

"I want to expand the business and I feel I need the challenge of a second site," Mr Biggs said.

"We’re always looking to evolve and improve and provide more for people.

"But the margin and profit that Deal Pier Kitchen is able to generate has decreased over the past few years - due to rising costs of staff and produce - so we’re hoping to have two successful businesses that complement each other."

Mr Biggs initially opened Deal Pier Kitchen as a brunch restaurant but later expanded into steak and lobster evening meals.

Queues are regularly seen at the site - which sits at the end of the pier - as bookings are not required for brunch or lunch.

"We’ve gone through a real evolution with making the building work for us because of the location," Mr Biggs said.

"We’ve built on that to the point that we can do Friday and Saturday evenings alongside really busy weekend services.

"Our outdoor takeaway coffee shack next to the restaurant has proved invaluable, too, especially during Covid."

Mr Biggs says his new shop in Bridge is set to offer breakfast, brunch, cakes, pastries and light lunches such as toasties.

He is yet to confirm the opening hours of the Western Avenue site but hopes to open between 8am and 4pm seven days a week in time.

"I wasn’t looking for another place because Deal isn’t challenging enough," he added.

"The community in Bridge seem to be really excited and we’re hopeful it will be well received.

"Bridge is a really busy village and there are some great food offerings already here, some with Michelin stars, but there’s nothing that hits that light lunch or early breakfast/brunch market.”

Mr Biggs says he will install an open kitchen at the site, which will seat 20 to 30 people and feature outdoor seating.

Mahoney's closed in September after three years in the village.