Kent’s newest McDonald’s is set to open earlier than expected.

The US fast food giant will take up a prime position at Chatham Dockside in a major boost to the shopping centre’s plans to become a “regional retail and leisure destination”.

Work is underway to transform the unit formerly occupied by long-standing tenant Choice, which relocated elsewhere in the outlet.

It will be the eighth McDonald’s franchise in Medway, the last opening at Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre last March.

Now, a sign states the restaurant will open on July 23 – earlier than the August opening date previously advertised.

It will join the neighbouring swanky new-style bar and restaurant Sotto Lounge, which opened on the Spring Bank Holiday.

Sotto is part of Loungers, which has launched branches across the county, including in Ramsgate, Faversham, Deal, Westwood Cross, Bromley and Sittingbourne.

The firm also owns the Cosy Club brand, which has an outlet in Canterbury.

Meanwhile, Barclays has applied to open a branch at the former Clarks shoe shop at the centre and also to install an ATM at the main entrance.

It will be a welcome addition to Dockside, where the nearest cash machine is inside the Co-op next to the Ship and Trades pub.

Clarks reopened at a new neighbouring unit at the beginning of last month.

Choice moved from the front of the store to the back in a space formerly occupied by Peacocks, which vacated the centre last October.

Centre manager Anthony Sutton previously said the forthcoming changes at the centre, which opened more than 20 years ago, would support its ambition to become a “regional retail and leisure destination”.