New life is being breathed into an old fire station.

The owners of an award-winning restaurant in Chatham are opening up a new eatery at the converted Victorian premises underneath the arches in New Road.

Gurkha Fire is expected to welcome guests from February offering the Nepalese, Indian and Indo-Chinese cuisine it already serves at Dylan’s Nepalese in the High Street.

The business was founded by professional chefs Keshav Kandel and Raju Kandel whose exotic dishes have attracted visitors from all over Kent.

Keshav said: “We bring our own brand of cooking to Medway and are very excited to be moving to the old fire station.

“Gurkha Fire will be a step up in cuisine that Medway needs.

“We are excited by the challenge, but more than that we want to get this right for the people of Medway.

“It’s so important that we bring this space back in use and provide something that nobody else in Medway can.

“We want to reflect the changing taste in the UK, while still providing the friendly service that Dylan’s has become known for.

“Whether you are looking to celebrate a special occasion, go on a cosy date or just catch up

with friends, Gurkha Fire will offer you the perfect venue.”

The two senior cooks moved to Medway from London where they worked for Dishoom which has a string of reputable restaurants across the capital.

The old fire station closed several years ago and the building was bought by Medway Council.

It was then transformed, opening in 2019 as the Fire Station Brasserie.

But the leaseholders left in July after two years. Businesswoman Rebecca Collins, who also runs the wedding venues of Cooling Castle Barn and The Vines Hotel in Rochester, experienced problems getting staff after the Covid lockdown.

The bar only reopened in January after temporarily closing at the end of last year.

The restaurant is situated in the heart of Medway Council’s multi-million pound refurbishment for Chatham.

Keshev said: “We look forward to welcoming our customers, old and new, to be part of the Gurkha Fire family.”