£14.4 million levelling up investment for Medway
A major package of projects in Chatham is being supported by £14.4 million from the Levelling Up Fund. The projects will transform Medway into a leading creative destination.
Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Alan Jarrett, said:
We were delighted to have been awarded £14.4 million from the government’s Levelling Up Fund. These important and innovative projects at The Docking Station, The Brook Theatre and The Fitting Rigging House will help build skills and growth for the future.
The Docking Station
The Docking Station is Grade II listed former accommodation for police staff. The building will house the Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries at the University of Kent.
This new creative facility will include:
- workspaces for artists and technologists
- flexible teaching space
- space for graduates
- performance areas
Restoration of the Brook Theatre
The Brook Theatre will be repaired and refurbished into a new state-of-the-art and accessible modern theatre. It will become a place for creative industries to flourish.
Fitted Rigging House (South)
The Grade I listed scheduled monument will be brought back into use. This will create space for growing and mature creative enterprises to work.
Richard Morsley, Chief Executive, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust.
Development of both the Fitted Rigging House South and the Police Section House (Docking Station) will see two currently undeveloped scheduled ancient monuments brought back into active use, creating jobs, and delivering significant economic benefit. Medway has a thriving creative community, and these spaces will be vital in facilitating the growth of these industries.
The projects will give those in the creative sectors a clear pathway to grow their careers.
Find out more about Levelling Up.