Pizza Express is returning to a town two years after shutting due to lockdown.

Work has began on the restaurant which is returning to Earl Street, Maidstone, after being forced to shut in August 2020.

The new eatery will be found further down the road next to Five Guys, replacing Hancock's American Kitchen and Bar at the former Chimichanga's site.

It joins a number of other restaurants and cafés on the street, including Wagamama, 7Bone, Nando's, Fireaway, Zizzi, Wildwood and Viva Las Vegans.

Posters have been placed in the vacant unit telling people to "watch this space" with the company's branding.

The blue shopfront will be changed to a light grey and the bi-fold doors will be replaced with new dark grey timber entrance doors.

Along with the exterior changes a new illuminated Pizza Express logo will be accompanied by a large "Pizzeria" sign.

A heritage planning statement reads: "The proposed works will provide a design of modern enhancement and will add greater kerb appeal to property and Earl Street.

"It is considered that there will be no adverse impact on the conservation area, adjacent properties on Earl Street or the host building.

"Both the shopfront and signage designs have the backing of the landlord, the Fremlin Centre and their design team."

Pizza Express' former site at the top of Earl Street was replaced with The Green Room - a five floor "event centre" - which opened in May last year.

The venue boasts live music, a whisky room, a members only cocktail bar, a pizza restaurant, a record shop and radio station.

Visit the planning portal here, using reference 22/500462/ADV to view the plans.