Kent’s latest Costa Coffee branch has been given an official opening date – more than two years after plans first came to light.

The drive-thru cafe, on the London-bound carriageway between Canterbury and Faversham, will welcome customers on Saturday, April 13.

The global chain fills the gap left by Sheila’s Kitchen at the A2 Gate Services, Dunkirk.

As well as a drive-thru service, the cafe will also have indoor seating.

The opening date comes more than two years after proposals were first put forward – with the scheme being granted planning approval in October 2022.

The site owner, Motor Fuel Ltd, which runs the adjacent Esso garage, had previously applied for permission to launch a new coffee shop at the rear of the filling station, which was approved.

However, they opted instead to sympathetically convert the old coaching house, adding a small extension for the drive-thru.

The Grade II-listed building at Gate Services was a Little Chef between 1986 and 2005, before becoming Sheila’s Kitchen, a diner.

The opening of Costa Coffee marks the first step of significant works planned for the area.

The disused Travelodge was torn down late last year and a McDonald’s could be set to fill the gap, with bosses at the fast food chain aiming to get the store up and running by 2025.

Bosses at the conglomerate say the branch could employ more than 120 people.

It is not yet known if the eatery will be open 24 hours – with McDonald’s advising more details will become available nearer the time.