An upmarket supermarket is to open a food hall in a popular garden centre.

Waitrose is due to be selling its top-of-the-range products at Dobbies in Courteney Road near Gillingham Business Park this spring.

The chain has 13 outlets in Kent with the first launched in Allington just outside Maidstone more than 50 years ago. But this is the first to open in the Medway Towns and comes after Dobbies' resident grocery supplier, Sainsbury's, pulled out of supply deals.

As a result of the new partnership, Waitrose will now provide customers with 2,000 products including its ready meals, free-from and vegan ranges, prepared fruit and vegetables, snacks and store cupboard staples.

Waitrose No.1 and Waitrose Duchy Organic items will also be available.

Dobbies, next to the Tesco Extra superstore, introduced its new-style food department in July 2020, with a delicatessen, bakery favourites, fresh meats from Kent-based butchers, Brogdale's and locally-sourced fruit and vegetables.

Chief executive Graeme Jenkins, said: "Waitrose and Dobbies share a commitment to great value, quality and sustainability.

"They are the natural partner for us as we look to build on the success of of our foodhalls on recent years, which have become a popular part of our customer offer."

When the deal was announced, James Bailey, Waitrose executive director said: "With Dobbies, we will be working with a partner that shares our values when it comes to quality and service, and this underlines our ambitions to bring Waitrose food and drink to even more people throughout the UK.

"It will take us into locations that are extremely new to us and build our presence in other areas where a Waitrose shop may not currently be conveniently accessible, despite strong demand for our products."

Dobbies will continue its existing partnerships with brands including Hotel Chocolat and Cook

The children's soft play area has recently been refurbished and the restaurant has been expanded to include more seating and a table waiting service.It offers traditional afternoon teas and a vegan menu.

Most of the plant area is undercover, allowing shoppers to pick up items for the garden all year round, from winter flowering hanging baskets to spring bulbs and shrubs.

It has an aquatics and homeware department.