A NATIONAL burger chain is returning to its roots.

Wimpy has a new branch opening in Station Road, Portslade, in the exact location it closed in during the Noughties.

The burger bar is to replace Chicken Cottage and it is hoped it will be open in the next six to eight weeks.

Chris Woolfenden, general manager at Famous Brands, the company that owns Wimpy, said: “It’s been in the works for a little while.

“The shop is being ripped out at the moment.

“It’s the exact same building we had before. We can’t wait to reopen in Portslade, we’ve been looking at it for quite some time and we are looking forward to being back in the area.”

A poster in the window of the building, which reveals the news, says the chain will be having an alcohol licence.

Excitement grew as the news started circulating on social media.

Facebook user Roger Thorley posted it on the Buzz On Boundary page and fellow poster Laura Brundle responded, saying: “I’m so happy I could cry.”

Georgia Cronin said: “Oh my God the thought of Wimpy on Deliveroo is just too much excitement.”

Wimpy opened its first branch in 1954 in London.

It reached its peak in the Seventies with more than 1,000 restaurants across 23 countries.

Wimpy was also the first burger chain to offer meat-free burgers, in 1985.

Now the chain has fewer than 100 branches in the UK but is going through a resurgence.

Other Wimpy locations in Sussex include Crawley, Worthing, Horsham and Peacehaven.