A new Costa Coffee has opened at a leisure complex - just a stone's throw from another branch.

The cafe has moved into the the former Friendly Phil's diner at Chatham Waterside, opposite the entrance to the Dockside Outlet Shopping Centre.

The restaurant closed last year after its parent company fell into administration.

Goldex Investments, the UK's largest Costa Coffee franchisee, has created eight jobs with the new venture, both part-time and full-time.

Work began last month and staff welcomed the first customers today (Tuesday).

Costa Coffee already has a branch metres away, inside the Odeon Cinema.

Mercia-Maria Harte, from Goldex, said: "We are pleased to announce that we have opened our new store at the Dockside Outlet Centre.

"This store represents the dedication of our team and the vision of building a friendly local community where we can all share our passion for coffee together.

"It is with great pleasure that we thank everyone who worked hard to prepare for this day. We are so proud of our Goldex team.

"We look forward to welcoming everyone into our brand new store."

Goldex is also opening a branch of the ice cream parlour Kaspa's Desserts next door, between the new Costa and KFC, which opened in January.

The franchisee posted on its Facebook page: "Didn't you hear? We are opening Kaspa's Deserts just next door! Watch this space."