Sheppey has joined the 21 century with the opening of two new national chains.

Barista Linsey Smith welcomed customers to the Island’s first branch of Costa Coffee at Neats Court, Queenborough, on Saturday.

The new shop is part of the final £1.63 million phase of the development and is between Morrisons supermarket and the Five Bridges pub.

Next door, manager Naveed Chatta was also celebrating the opening of his drive-thru Burger King.

That opened last week after several delays. It was originally planned to open on July 20.

It was only in July that Starbucks moved onto the Island, again at Neats Court which also boasts a large two-storey Sports Direct outlet, Poundland and a revamped B&M Bargains store.

Sheppey’s second Subway is also on its way to the out-of-town retail park.

The new block was built by Folkestone firm Jenner.

Jenner’s managing director Martin Sandall said: “We are pleased to be delivering this latest phase of the Neat’s Court retail park, providing much-needed commercial outlets for the Isle of Sheppey and its residents.”

Developer LXB Retail Properties said it is in talks with other potential tenants for the remaining three units.

In January LXB sold off part of Neat’s Court for more than £11 million to Lightstone Neatscourt.