A town’s fourth Costa has opened after eight months of construction.

The new drive-thru in Snargate Street, Dover welcomed customers through the door for the first time today.

Work began on the project in March when the former warehouses which once stood on the disused patch of land alongside the A20 were flattened.

The land – opposite the marina – was previously described as being left in a “dilapidated state” before it was taken over.

Jack Hartland, Area Manager at Costa Coffee, said: “We’re thrilled to today open our new drive-thru store.

“We look forward to serving the local community their favourite Costa coffee, whether customers are on-the-go or choose to sit in and relax.”

Another new Costa is also set to open in Dover next week in St James Retail Park.

Its current store next to Card Factory will close so the firm can relocate into the bigger unit formerly used by Spanish restaurant Rico Sabor.

The expansion means the new store will be set across two floors and have a balcony offering views of Dover Castle.

The coffee company also has another branch inside Next in the retail park.

A third Costa can be found in the middle of the town in Biggin Street, while the BP petrol station in nearby Limekiln Street also serves the brand’s coffee.

Plans for the drive-thru were approved by Dover District Council (DDC) last year.

It comes with 19 parking spaces – six of which will have electric charging points.

The drive-thru development is part of a waterfront regeneration scheme which has already seen the £250 million redevelopment of Dover Marina in Western Docks.