"Our customers won't just be getting a meal and a drink, they'll be getting an experience."

That's the pledge from bosses behind Maidstone town centre's much-anticipated new restaurant and bar, which opens its doors to punters for the first time this evening.

Madisons is a £2 million project that has been more than two years in the making, since the closure of the popular Strawberry Moons nightclub at the end of 2017.

Its menu, including steaks, seafood, pork belly, salads, fish and sashimi, has been crafted by chefs and managers with a wealth of experience in Michelin-starred establishments, who've worked with household names including Heston Blumenthal.

But staff insist those coming through the door won't be doing so simply for the food, but for a rounded "Saturday night experience".

An interior style of art deco glamour and opulence greets guests as they enter, along with abstract wall decorations and a striking, hand painted ceiling mural.

For special occasions, live music and DJs will also be employed to create even more of a buzz around the venue.

Upstairs from the main restaurant is the heated Moonlight Bar and roof terrace, where customers are encouraged to continue their evening should they so desire, by enjoying classic and contemporary cocktails and a boogie on the dance floor.

Manager Simon Hagen said: "Outstanding service and food is what we're about, but we needed to offer more than that: an experience, to separate us from a busy high street.

"We know and work closely with those running a lot of other restaurants and bars in Maidstone, which is a good thing because we want to see the town do well.

"It used to be seen as the clubbing capital of Kent, but people are using town centres differently and so we hope it can now become the restaurant capital."

Word-of-mouth and a growing presence on social media has meant the venue has already received hundreds of bookings for tables - some as far in advance as April.

The venue will initially be open on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, from 5pm, but is looking at offering lunch options as well later down the line.

Creative designer Ade Rowswell added: "We had a fairly clear vision in mind from the start and I think we've actually managed to get it bang on, and maybe even surpass the expectations we set.

"It looks stunning and we can't wait for people to come and try it for themselves."

The news of Madisons opening up was revealed last summer.

Strawberry Moons had been a feature of Maidstone's clubbing scene for more than 25 years.

Last year people shared their memories of the club, which included staff jumping on the bar, the infamous Strawberry Moons song, and the time the Cheeky Girls filmed a video there.

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone