Dining giants Nando’s has picked a Kent leisure complex as its next destination for a restaurant with building set to start this summer.

The South African chain has earned a reputation for some of the best chicken dishes thanks to its peri peri sauce and will be situated next to Pizza Express at the Spirit of Sittingbourne leisure complex.

Construction is due to begin in the next few months and Nando’s will become the third restaurant to commit to the £59 million after Wildwood announced they would also open a unit.

Councillor Andrew Bowles, Leader of Swale Borough Council, said: “Nando’s signing up for the new leisure quarter is another confirmation of confidence in the Spirit of Sittingbourne regeneration programme, which has seen the council under my leadership invest in Sittingbourne’s future.

“We all look forward to Nando’s opening, but there’s disagreement in the cabinet on which peri-peri sauce we can handle.”

Richard Upton, deputy chief executive of developer U+I, which is behind the project, said: “We are delighted to have Nando’s onboard and to be powering ahead with work in Sittingbourne.

“The multi-million-pound investment will soon be delivering many benefits including; popular shops, a hotel, cinema, six restaurants and hundreds of new jobs.

“Local people can look forward to having the evening attractions Sittingbourne deserves on the doorstep and the quality restaurant and leisure offer will attract new visitors to the town centre.”

Nando’s will join a number of high street brands that have already revealed they will also be making a move to Sittingbourne including Home Bargains, a Costa coffee drive-thru and Iceland’s Food Warehouse.

The new restaurants are also set to be just a stone’s throw away from an eight-screen cinema.

Travelodge has also signed up to open a new branch opposite the entrance to Sittingbourne Railway Station.

Residents can keep updated on further news related to the Spirit of Sittingbourne project at www.spiritofsittingbourne.com