The owner of a new restaurant says it will be opening as soon as planning permission for an extractor fan is granted.

The Galata Diner and Cocktail Bar will serve traditional Mediterranean cuisine when it opens in Watling Street, Gillingham – along with an alternative way to start the day.

Owner Muslum Tasdogan, who also runs Galata Mezze Bar and Restaurant in Rainham High Street, said: "Not only will we be offering burgers, desserts and cocktails but also Turkish breakfasts."

The 34-year-old from Minster, Sheppey, is hoping to open the eatery later this month with his business partner and barman, 33-year-old Robert Dumitrescu.

Muslum began running the Rainham branch with his other business partner, Abuzer Karta, in November 2019.

Despite opening just before lockdown the pair applied to expand the premises in March last year saying they needed more room to meet demand.

However, it is only at the new branch that foodies will be able to enjoy a Turkish breakfast – alongside traditional English options.

For £10.95, it will include two fried eggs cooked with a Turkish spicy sausage (sucuck) in a pan.

It will also have Turkish cheese, hash browns, olives, tomatoes, cucumber, mushrooms, jam or marmalade on toast and a cup of tea or coffee.

Muslum added: "We want to bring Watling Street the Turkish breakfast.

"We won't be serving it in our Rainham restaurant either.

"We're looking forward to bringing in new customers.

"Our food is traditional, healthy and authentic."

To see more about the Galata Diner and Cocktail Bar click here.

Muslum and Robert have been ready to serve customers for the last three months.

However, they say they have faced some delays due to licensing issues.

Muslum said they have an alcohol licence but were still waiting for planning permission for an extractor fan.

"We applied for it on September 1, 2022, and expected there to be no issues as the coffee shop that was in the premises before us had no issue.

"You're meant to hear back from Medway Council in three months but six months on we still haven't had any update.

"It is the only thing holding us back from opening."

Medway Council confirmed a planning application had been submitted for the fan and that it was going through the normal process.