We’ve got the recession licked, eaten and drunk in Medway with a procession of new business openings.

Restaurants and pubs are starting up or expanding alongside other food outlets right across the Towns.

Leading the way is a dessert company which launched in Chatham and is set to storm other parts of Kent.

Creams Cafe has only been open for nine months, but in that time huge demand has seen it have to double in size – and owner Parveen Mann is already expanding the brand to elsewhere in the county.

Another of the diner-style restaurants, which sell ice cream, waffles and pancakes, among other sweet treats is opening this autumn in King Street, Maidstone.

Ms Mann has secured another premises in Orpington and the next goal is to get a restaurant in Bluewater.

She said: “Business is booming, we still have the queues, but since we expanded it is much better, and it’s creating a lot of jobs for people in the local area.”

In June Creams, based next to the Dockside Outlet Shopping Centre, reopened after a 10-day refurbishment which saw it double in size.

Frankie & Benny’s at Hempstead Valley shopping centre is now open. The Italian-American chain joins Nando’s, Dean’s Diner, Costa Coffee and Subway in the new food court area, which is part of a £16 million update.

A new Subway restaurant opens today (Friday) at the Spar convenience store on Silverweed Road, Chatham. From 9am it will offer a wide range of Subs, salads, treats and drinks, with a small seating area.

Spar store manager Rob Hill said: “We’re excited to bring a new Subway brand to our Chatham store. We are also delighted to announce that it will create at least 12 new full and part-time jobs.”

The Golden Lion pub in Rochester is to close for around five weeks for a £1.5 million expansion and refurbishment.

The Wetherspoons venue has purchased the premises next door, previously occupied by the Thai Four Two restaurant which has moved to a new location on the other side of the High Street.

The extension will link up with the existing pub, meaning more space for customers and a bigger garden.

The area above the pub will be converted into nine hotel bedrooms.

The Golden Lion will close on Monday, September 21 and reopen on Wednesday, October 28. During this time, the kitchen will be made bigger and the current pub premises will be redecorated.

The new Asda superstore is taking shape, and signage for the petrol station has now gone up too.

The 73,000 sq ft Asda Gillingham Pier is being built as part of the new Chatham Waters development, which includes new homes, offices and leisure space.

The store, which will open 24 hours, is set to welcome its first customers on Monday, September 7. As well as the petrol station it will have George clothing, an opticians and a create your own pizza counter.

A Card factory has also opened in Strood and The Bell pub is due to reopen.

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