Burger lovers grieving the loss of Basingstoke's Gourmet Burger Kitchen will be pleased to know a new chain has announced it is coming to town.

American restaurant Five Guys will be opening a branch in Festival Place, The Gazette can now confirm. 

Heralded for its fresh approach to fast food, Five Guys cooks all its food to order, including its much-loved fries cooked in peanut oil.

The US brand offers burgers and hot dogs with as many free toppings as you want, together with milkshakes with mix ins such as bacon.

Currently, the nearest outlet is in Reading. 

The Gazette reported the news at the weekend but it has today been confirmed by Festival Place.

A spokesman for the shopping centre said Five Guys is expecting to open later this year.

Today's news will come as a welcome relief to Festival Place bosses who have been struggling with the number of empty units.

In the past week alone, jewellers Warren James, which occupies a large store near Iceland, announced it was shutting.

It came just days after Gourmet Burger Kitchen in Basingstoke left suddenly. 

The number of vacant units in Basingstoke now stands at an all-time high of 50, according to The Gazette's last count.

A spokesman for Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council said it didn't record how long shops were left vacant for.