The long-awaited opening date for a fine-dining restaurant and art gallery has been announced.

The Nucleus team, who are behind a trio of award-winning eateries across Medway, have unveiled their latest venture in Rainham High Street – and judging by our sneak peek pictures, it’s guaranteed to add some sparkle to the town.

Doors officially open at the former Simon Langton solicitors office next Monday (October 9) following a £400,000 refurbishment.

Managing director Aaron Serjejenkovs Telford said complicated paperwork and red tape have held up the formal takeover which was expected to be welcoming visitors by the spring.

The fine-dining area on the first floor is called the Parlour and seats 20.

The Wine Chamber boasts up to 2,000 handpicked wines, most chosen by connoisseur Aaron himself.

High-class fittings and lighting have been installed with each room having a unique feel.

Aaron, 35, said: “We like to think we have brought something different to Rainham. We like to be bold.

“We looked at the evening offer in the town and it is mostly Indian restaurants.”

They already have seven members of staff on the team and are hoping to make it 20.

Like its sister venue, the former Conservancy Building in Rochester High Street, a top-end menu will be offered on limited days of the week, with chefs recruited from top London hotels.

A sumptuous lounge and cloakrooms are on the ground floor. A takeaway service offering coffee and snacks will also be available.

Opening hours will be 9.30 am to 5pm, Sunday to Thursday and 9.30am to 11pm on Friday and Saturday,

Aaron, who went to school and used to live in the town, and his partner Sergejs Sergejenkovs, have been looking at properties in the area for years.

Hot on the heels of the success of their other establishments, they were encouraged by Medway Council to consider a move to either Rainham or Gillingham and their survey has shown that nearly a quarter of their existing customers live in the ME8 postcode

Aaron, 34, said the restaurant and artistic side of the business were equally as important.

But added: "Everybody's got to eat. The cafe acts as a stepping stone for some people to visit the galleries."

Aaron has worked for Nucleus for 10 years and oversees the running of the Continental-style Chatham eatery, which is tucked away off Chatham High Street and opened 20 years ago.

He's also in charge of the Rochester branch which has celebrated its fourth anniversary and the cafe in Military Road opposite the Pentagon in Chatham.

He said: "I feel I have an affinity with Rainham, even though I don't live there any more.

"We ask people who come to other sites to leave their postcode and 24.8% said ME8, so in some ways we have a ready-made client base.

He added: “It’s been challenging getting this off the ground, but yes, it has been well worth it.”