A Portuguese restaurant is moving out of Sittingbourne over fears it could swallowed up as part of the town’s multi-million pound regeneration scheme.

Alvaro’s Taste of Portugal has been based at the former Globe and Engine pub in St Michael’s Road for the past two-and-a-half years.

It will be opening in the Halfway House pub in Sheppey next Wednesday.

Kim Alvaro, who runs the business with her Portuguese husband Carlos, said their decision was partly based on not knowing whether their building would be knocked down as part of Sittingbourne’s regeneration plans.

She said: “We never know what’s happening. One month it’s coming down the next it’s staying up.

“It’s the uncertainty of not knowing how long you are going to be there for and the fact all around us are these great big signs going up.”

The back part of the pool room at Halfway House will be converted back into a restaurant and cafe while tapas will be served at the bar.

The pub already previously housed Indian restaurant Attic Spice until a fire forced it to close four years ago.

Mrs Alvaro, who has family on Sheppey, said: “We are really excited. About 80% of our customers come from the Island so we have had a few of the Sittingbourne customers moan a bit but we said for the last couple of years all these people have made the effort to come off the Island so why can’t you come onto the Island?”

Mrs Alvar said they will serve traditional Portuguese food, including seafood, chicken and pork, using fresh ingredients.

It will be family-friendly with the idea that tables can be booked for the evening rather than rushing people out.

The opening next Wednesday is a paella night and is fully booked.