Dean’s Diner at Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre is undergoing a £500,000 refurbishment.

It will be closed for two weeks while builders rip out and refit the interior and reopen as Friendly Phil’s at the beginning of March.

Dean’s opened in the summer of 2015, as part of the restaurant complex at Hempstead Valley.

Jonathan Kaye, chief executive of the Richoux Group, which owns Dean’s Diner, said: “The diner needed a lot of improvement. We’re spending £500,000 on upgrading it.

“It will be very warm with reclaimed timbers and seating booths. The kitchen will be on display – like it should be in a proper diner.”

Mr Kaye added: “We’ll serve burgers, hot dogs, roasted chicken, barbecued chicken. It will be simple but good quality.”

The Dean’s Diner branch at Chatham Maritime will not be changed.