The opening dates of two of the international chains coming to the Neats Court retail park in Queenborough have finally been confirmed.

Coffee giant Starbucks will be the first of the food outlets to open – between Morrisons and The Five Bridges pub – on Tuesday, July 18.

The Island’s first branch of the coffee chain, which will have a drive-thru, is in the final stage of the development, parallel to the A249.

It will be operated by Sussex-based Starbucks franchisee Cobra Coffee.

Elizabeth Bone, area manager for Kent, said: “This will be our company’s first drive-thru branch so, as you can imagine, we are very excited.

“It’s going to be a really exciting venture and our customers should expect great service and a real enjoyable experience.”

Fast-food lovers will not have to wait much longer for the eagerly-awaited Burger King, either.

Along with whipping up Whopper burgers, the branch – also Sheppey’s first – will also feature a drive-thru.

Franchisee Saxby Ltd, based in Mayfield, is recruiting about 20 staff members for the restaurant.

Naveed Chattha, who will be the store’s manager, said the planned opening day is Thursday, July 20.

He said: “It’s the first Burger King to open on Sheppey, and Saxby’s eighth one.

“We chose Sheppey because there’s a lot of housing being built here and Neats Court is a very good retail park in a great location, with good connections to the mainland with the bridge.

“It was an opportunity not to be missed. We’re very excited to be opening a Burger King restaurant here.”

Costa Coffee and Subway will also be joining the development’s final phase, but it is not yet known when they will open their doors.

Developers LXB Retail Properties said it was still in talks with other potential tenants for the remaining three units.

Neats Court also features a Sports Direct, Iceland and a Cancer Research UK superstore.

Work on Aldi’s nearby £50 million distribution centre and regional headquarters is also well underway, with a completion date set for March.

When this is finished, about 400 jobs are expected to be created, including drivers, order pickers, fork lift drivers and administration staff.