Construction on new Innovation Hub in Chatham set to start

Construction on Medway’s new Innovation Hub, known as Ascend, is due to begin in April.

Located on the first floor of the Pentagon Shopping Centre, Ascend will deliver modern business facilities in the heart of Medway’s emerging city centre, Chatham.

The hub will deliver stylish and unique working areas for Medway’s entrepreneurs, freelancers and small businesses to grow and thrive in.

The space will have high-speed broadband, co-working spaces, private offices, meeting rooms and will be finished with high-quality and stylish interiors and furniture. Businesses will also be able to access free business support and networking opportunities.

Construction will be delivered by Form Fit Out, which has been creating workspaces for more than 20 years. Once open, Ascend will be run by Edgility, in partnership with Kiln, who will be responsible for managing bookings and the facilities on a day-to-day basis.

The hub is being funded through the Future High Streets Fund, a government initiative which aims to transform high streets into vibrant hubs and to protect and create jobs, investment from Medway Council and funding secured from the South-East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) through the Getting Building Fund.

Cllr Lauren Edwards, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic and Social Regeneration and Inward Investment, said:

“This is an exciting milestone in the regeneration of Chatham, and brilliant news for Medway’s diverse business economy. This important project will give Medway’s small businesses, freelancers and entrepreneurs room to grow, increase productivity and unlock their potential. As well as providing dedicated and modern workspaces, businesses will be able to access support through the hub.

“Being able to deliver this project in the heart of Chatham is great for the area as a whole, with the knock-on benefit of increased footfall in The Pentagon Shopping Centre and surrounding area. I look forward to seeing this new and exciting workspace take shape.”

Stephen Potter, Director at Form Fit Out, said:

“To have secured this prestigious project in our 20^th year is a significant milestone, having started our journey delivering the refurbishment of the Control Room at Kingsnorth Power Station for Eon as our first ever project in 2004. We feel that this project represents the business coming full circle and returning home. All of our project team are born and bred in the Medway towns and we look forward to working with the Medway Council team in delivering an exciting new space for the benefit of everybody in Medway.”

Mukesh Sharma, Director at Edgility, said

“We are committed to creating a vibrant business and entrepreneurial hub. Offering access to premium facilities, a supportive community, and be part of the initiative aimed at the regeneration and prosperity of Medway.”

Ascend is expected to open this autumn. Edgility are now taking enquiries for the hub at AscendCoworking.com

To find out more about the regeneration taking place in Chatham, visit: Medway.gov.uk/FutureChatham