The boss of a new chicken and lobster restaurant has revealed when it will open its doors.

Chef Jim Thomlinson says there is nothing in Whitstable quite like Nip and Cluck, which will launch in the town next week.

The new eatery will offer a unique spin on the chicken shop - with a wood-fired and seaside twist.

"There’s not anything else in Whitstable that does anything like this," he said.

"Nip and Cluck is like street food but in a nice, comfy environment."

The chef, who has 20 years of experience and has worked in Michelin star restaurants, says the menu will focus on a range of "high-welfare, locally sourced, fire-cooked chickens".

But the new eatery will also serve flame-grilled local lobster served whole, half or as claws and tails.

And other "nippy" fruits of the sea will be up for grabs - subject to availability and season - such as crab, crayfish and langoustines.

Mr Thomlinson's restaurant will be based on the ground floor of Albert Street-based The Workers League after a series of pop-ups with his Merman brand at the venue last year.

"As well as chicken and lobster, we are going to have loads of different sides like chicken fat mashed potato, smoked chicken gravy and flame-grilled sweetcorn with peppercorn," he added.

"Vegan and vegetarian options will also be plentiful.

"I'm all about keeping our sourcing footprint tight and championing some of the amazing produce in and around Kent.

"I have to know that animals have been farmed naturally and ethically - and fruit and veg are sustainably produced with minimum intervention.

"There are some wonderful independent producers all around us - Kent is not called The Garden of England for nothing."

The restaurant will be opening on Friday, February 24.

Mr Thomlinson operated a number of successful street food brands in London, such as Prawnography, Moister Oyster Co and FryHard.

He then relocated to Margate five years ago and launched his Merman brand.

Mat Kemp, creative director of The Workers League, said: "I first bumped into Jim in Shoreditch at Prawnography and was mightily impressed not only by the food he was cooking, but also that he was the only one cooking crustacea in a sea of burgers and hotdogs.

"There’s not anything else in Whitstable that does anything like this..."

"I was delighted when he agreed to bring his Merman concept to The Workers League for a series of pop-ups at the end of 2022.

"Out of a cloud of sweet woodsmoke, a partnership was born.

"I’m a big fan of Jim's cooking and there’s a massive synergy around live-fire, ethos and flavour that couldn’t be ignored, so launching Nip and Cluck here in Whitstable was inevitable."

The Workers League is a co-working and flexi office space.

Nip and Cluck will open on Thursdays from 6pm to 10pm, Fridays and Saturdays 12.30pm to 10pm and Sunday from 12.20pm to 7pm (reservations only).