A throwaway comment about launching a business has inspired a young couple to open their first restaurant.

Hazal and Ugur Sesen are taking on the former Marleys cafe and restaurant unit in Folkestone's Old High Street.

They are set to open their site - called Mocka Bistro - later this week after "instantly falling in love with the area" when they moved to the town three years ago.

The pair feel the birth of their baby girl has brought them good luck as they prepare to launch the business, which sits next to The Bayle Steps.

“We have always been in love with the Old High Street because of all the colours and artwork and I said ‘it would be so nice to have somewhere small like a restaurant here’,” Mrs Sesen told KentOnline.

"Then this place came up, and it was somewhere we really wanted to take so we did.

"Everyone has a dream but it’s not always easy. It won't be easy for us and we have a six-month-old now too so it has been hard."

Marleys moved to a new spot in South Street last year after becoming so popular customers were queuing out of the door.

Mrs Sesen hopes her business – which will be open all day, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner – will be as successful as Marleys.

"One of the reasons we like the Old High Street so much is because of Marleys and Steep Street next door," she added.

“We’d always come to this street and Marleys – they were the ones who got us to fall in love with this part of town.

"Seeing how well Marleys was doing inspired us and hopefully we can be as successful as them too.”

Mrs Sesen, 27, was previously a restaurant manager and had studied hospitality while Mr Sesen, 28, also has experience in the sector.

They hope their background will give them a strong foundation ahead of the opening of their site, which will offer coffee all day.

The menu is yet to be confirmed, but is due to feature full English breakfasts, Korean chicken and steaks.

They plan to open from 9am to 9pm Monday to Saturday and 9am to 7pm on Sundays.

“There are not many other places open until this late,” Mrs Sesen added.

“We wanted to be open for people who have finished work later in the evening and cater for this market too.”