A restaurant which closed in June has announced its reopening date.

The Firestation Brasserie in Chatham was forced to close due to staff shortages.

But today, it's been revealed the venue at New Cut will reopen on October 6.

A statement on the company's website read: "We just cannot wait to reopen our doors.

"Thank you for your patience during this difficult time - we can’t wait to welcome you back."

Rebecca Collins, who also runs The Vines of Rochester and Cooling Castle Barn, was forced to make the decision to close to protect the other venues while she tried to recruit dozens of new staff.

Speaking at the time she said: “I don’t think it’s Brexit, but there has been a job drain nationally due to Brexit, with many Europeans moving back home.

"There’s also the issue with many employees in the hospitality industry re-training while being on furlough or having time to reconsider what they want to do career-wise when everything opens up.

“It’s sad that we are being lumped in with other businesses who perhaps don’t look after their staff as well.

"You hear the horror stories of chefs being forced to work 65-hour weeks, but our staff average 42-45 hours a week, get a weekend day off and gym perks and private medical insurance.

“We took on a chef a fortnight ago who didn’t turn up on his first day of work and another that came for some informal training and left after 10 minutes suddenly deciding he didn’t want to be in the industry any more.

“We pay well and treat our staff well, so are just hoping we see some movement quickly.”

The Vines of Rochester – a restaurant and boutique hotel – opened its doors for the first time in May, but was forced to close he restaurant last month due to a shortage in catering staff.

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