Zizzi has announced an opening date for its first restaurant in Medway.

The Italian restaurant chain will open opposite Dockside Outlet Centre on Monday, 27 May.

Up to 30 jobs will be created for the local area.

The restaurant’s opening hours will be 11:30am to 10pm Monday to Thursday and on Sundays, and 11:30am to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Zizzi first launched in 1999 and now has more than 130 restaurants across the UK.

It serves a range of Italian cuisine including pizza, calzone, pasta, salads and desserts.

Zizzi’s new branch at Chatham Maritime will be joined by Wagamama, which is opening next door on 13 May.

Both restaurants agreed a 15-year lease with landlord Schroders Capital UK Real Estate Fund, according to property website Completely Retail.

The units were previously occupied by two restaurants, Villagio and The Real China, and were set to become an MFA bowling alley – but those plans never materialised.