A KFC in Broadstairs has unexpectedly shut.

The fast-food branch near Westwood Cross has covered its doors with posters informing customers of the closure, and guiding them to the nearest store.

It is not yet known if the closure will be permanent or not, with a KFC spokesperson saying: “We’re disappointed that the doors to our Westwood Retail Park KFC are currently closed.

“We’ll keep the people of Broadstairs updated as to any restaurant developments in the local vicinity, as and when we have news to share.

“Our Ramsgate and Margate restaurants are just around the corner and we look forward to welcoming local fans for their next fried chicken fix.”

The news has taken many by surprise, with Thanet residents taking to Facebook to discuss the news, after a picture of the closed shop was posted on Friday.

“Is this a joke?” asked one, whilst another said: “[I] didn’t see that coming.”

The freeholds for the Westwood Retail Park, Ramsgate and Margate KFCs had been due to be sold at last week, but were pulled at the last minute.

The closure marks the fourth significant closure in the Westwood Cross and retail park area this month.

Clarks and Iconic Jewellery have both advertised closing down sales, with it believed those stores will cease trading in mid-November.

Following its last day, the nearest Clarks stores will be in Deal High Street or Whitefriars in Canterbury.

For Iconic Jewellery lovers, the only physical store it will have left in the county is in County Square, Ashford, after its Canterbury site closed less than a month ago.

Wilko closed its branch at Westwood Cross on September 12, after the company entered into administration.

Opening in summer 2005, Westwood Cross was a £100 million project to reinvigorate the area which had been left to rack and ruin after the hospital it once housed closed in 1986.