A farm shop has opened an electric charging station.

Frankie’s Farm Shop in Clapper Lane, Staplehurst has seen eight rapid-charging bays installed.

It follows investment from InstaVolt, the UK’s largest rapid EV charging network provider.

The new additions come after planning approval was granted in October last year.

Each rapid charging hub has a 160kw capacity and can be used between 6am and 10pm.

It is the latest improvement to the farm shop, which is just off the A229, having been extended last year with a new restaurant.

The venue is on the market for £1.5 million as the couple behind it look to retire.

Owners Marcel and Frankie Franke said: “We are delighted to be bringing EV charging to our popular farm shop and nursery.”

Meanwhile, InstaVolt chief commercial officer, Simon Smith, said: “This new EV charging facility will significantly boost availability for drivers of electric vehicles in this busy part of Kent.

“Frankie’s Farm Shop is also the perfect spot to stop, take a break, recharge and be back on the road in no time.

“Delivering sites like this is essential to improving the charging infrastructure across the country, bringing continued confidence not only to the sector as a whole but crucially to those motorists who are making the switch to a more sustainable and greener future by choosing to drive an EV.”

The electric charging point was opened by the Mayor and Mayoress of Maidstone, John and Jan Perry on November 15.