Growing the Kent economy 2016/17

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Growing the Kent Economy 2016/17
workspace, flexible time-based and
virtual memberships, peer to peer
business support and collaboration, all
underpinned by high quality, bespoke
mentoring, events, seminars, workshops
and informal networking. Maidstone:
The Business Capital of Kent
TunbridgeWells
It is intended that Royal Tunbridge Wells
becomes the cultural capital of the High
Weald, with a vibrant mix of creative
businesses, media, arts and restaurants.
A key local ambition in the town is the
Cultural and Learning Hub, a remodelled
museum, art gallery, library and adult
learning centre. Following the Heritage
Lottery Fund award of £4.3m towards
this project in December 2015, further
feasibility work is currently being
progressed by the Borough Council.
It is hoped that once complete the
facility will draw visitors, complement
the town centre and act as a catalyst for
further investment.
The Borough Council is also constructing
a new mixed-use development of five
apartments and three retail units (249
m²) (2,680ft²) at John Street, Royal
Tunbridge Wells, scheduled to complete
in late 2016. Units will range in size from
74.7 m² (803 ft²) – 94.5 m² (1,017 ft²)
that can be combined to create a
double and single unit. The Council is
seeking pre-lets on the commercial
units. The Council intends to further
develop commercial units at North
Farm Lane comprising flexible
industrial units and 1,672 m² (18,000ft²)
of office space. In addition, the
Council is examining the feasibility
of 2,787 m² (30,000 ft²) of new office
accommodation in the town centre
at Mount Pleasant Avenue.
Elsewhere in the town significant
developments are progressing. Royal
Wells Park, a Berkeley Group develop-
ment, is currently under construction.
The development includes 190
apartments and homes, as well as
new office accommodation for law
firm Cripps Harries Hall and a new free
school. Proposals have also recently
been submitted to the Council to alter
and extend the Royal Victoria Place
shopping centre, if approved this could
include new retail (2860 m²) (30,773 ft²)
Swale’s largest employers including
Knauf, DS Smith and Morrison’s 85,470m 2
(920,000ft2) regional distribution centre
with scope for further development.
G-Park Sittingbourne, retains the ability
to deliver build-to-suit facilities from
11,845m2 (127,500ft2) to 50,168m2
(540,000ft2).
The regeneration of Queenborough
& Rushenden continues with land
preparation for a first phase of housing
now complete. The plan is for 1,100
homes along with up to 180,000m 2
(1,937,503ft2) of employment space.
Morrison’s, KFC, B&M, Iceland, Sports
Direct and Poundland now occupy
Neats Court creating 400 jobs in
11,334m2 (122,000ft2) of new space. Aldi
has received planning permission for a
nearby 55,731m2 (600,000ft2) regional
distribution centre.
In March 2015, Swale Borough Council
approved phase 1 of the Spirit of
Sittingbourne scheme. This will include
a big box retail park with four large
format units, a new multi-screen
cinema with seven restaurants,
308-space multi-storey car park,
a new public square and 215 high
quality apartments.
Sheerness is Peel Port’s flagship terminal
in the South East, handling up to two
million tonnes of cargo a year with car
importation and forest products as key
drivers for growth. A new multi-million
pre-delivery inspection (PDI) centre
for Volkswagen has seen an additional
500,000 cars a year come through the
port. Peel Ports has consulted on a
masterplan for Sheerness Port to provide
a road map towards an additional
1,250 new jobs and a GVA of £156m
by 2034.
In Faversham, 17,652m2 (190,000ft2)
of mixed light industrial/office space
created at Eurocentre Business Park and
an additional 3,252m2 (35,000ft2) at the
Foundry Business Park have been met
with strong demand. Permission has
now been granted for mixed-use
development at Dane Park to the east
of the town, which will include 5,375m2
(57,856ft2 ) of commercial space.
For information on developments and
opportunities in Swale:
West Kent
Maidstone
Tesla, the American electric car maker,
opened a new supercharger at Gallagher’s
Eclipse Park, M20 Junction 7, demonstrating
the Borough’s ability to attract new
development. As a leading manufacturer
of electric cars, Tesla allows its customers
to charge their cars up to a 170-mile
range in just 30 minutes for free. The
strategic facility at Maidstone joins
Tesla’s existing 17 station network across
the UK with full UK/Ireland coverage
planned by the end of 2016 as part of
the European network of superchargers.
Also at Eclipse Park, an application has
been submitted for a newWaitrose store
(2693 m2, 29,000 ft2 trading space), and
interest is being shown in the hotel site
which already has planning permission.
At Brooklyn Park on the A229 near M20
Junction 6 at Maidstone, the first of
a new generation of purpose built
drive-through Scania dealerships is
now open. At the £6m development,
completed in October 2015, Scania
Maidstone have a full range of leading
-edge technological and environmental
features from specialist tools/diagnostic
equipment to automatic lighting,
in-house recycling station, sustainable
water drainage system and photo
voltaic roof panels. It will have extensive
services for truck, bus and coach
operators including commercial traffic
entering and leaving the UK. Importantly,
the consent allows for 24-hour operation.
Scania Maidstone will feature five
drive-through workshop bays and a
DVSA Authorised Testing Facility. Scania
parts service, parts for all makes, trailers
and ancillary components will be offered
and new/used truck sales operations
as well as Scania Truck Rental. Initially,
Scania Maidstone will employ 34
technicians, parts and administrative
staff which is anticipated to rise as the
branch establishes itself locally.
Maidstone Council’s own investment
includes a new generation of workspace
in the town centre which is now available.
The Business Terrace is a dynamic,
affordable business workspace and
an inspiring and highly supportive
environment to grow and sustain
start-ups and existing micro businesses.
The facility can benefit upwards of
1,000 entrepreneurs a year via affordable