The University of Kent’s Institute of Cultural & Creative Industries (iCCi) is proud to announce a major milestone in the Docking Station Project that will allow construction to start on the new state-of-the-art studio building, behind the historic Police Section House at Chatham’s Historic Dockyard.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded the project a further £250,000, which completes the funding required to deliver the whole scheme, including a flagship new studio building.
Work has already begun on the first part of the project, converting the Grade II listed Police Section House into studios and co-working space.
This new funding supports the next phase of development, the building of a new, double height studio behind the existing building. Facilities like this are highly sort after by the creative industries, and will be used for the commercial filming of adverts and feature films amongst other audio visual projects.
The project is also funded by the Government’s Levelling Up Fund (MHCLG), the Arts Council England’s Cultural Development Fund (DCMS) and Colyer Fergusson Charitable Trust for engagement activities in the community.
Docking Station will breathe new life into the Grade II listed Police Section House, one of the Dockyard’s Scheduled Ancient Monuments, transforming it into a state-of-the-art creative production facility. Scheduled to open in late 2026, the facility will offer world-class resources, including:
- Virtual production and motion capture studios
- Specialist teaching labs
- Flexible exhibition spaces
- Co-working and office space
- Creative Industries business support and incubation
These new facilities will allow us to support the creative technology sector regionally and nationally as well as providing a bridge between fundamental academic research and industry. The wide range of technologies present will allow us to use creative technology to drive transformational change in sectors such as healthcare and education as well as supporting our creative industries.
This funding milestone means that plans to deliver these facilities, which will position Medway as a hub for cutting-edge digital and immersive technologies, can now move forward with full confidence. Construction of the new studio building will begin in October by Baxall Construction Ltd who are already well underway with the refurbishment of the historic building.
Georgina Randsley de Moura, University of Kent Vice-Chancellor said:
“This is a defining moment for Docking Station and for the University of Kent. With the full funding now secured, we can deliver a project that will drive innovation, skills development and creative opportunities for Medway and Kent, as well as breathe new life into this incredible heritage building. Our thanks to the National Heritage Lottery Fund for this crucial support and to our other funders and project partners who have come together to make this possible.”
The project is set to unlock new opportunities for local communities, young people, and creative businesses across Kent, Medway, and the South-East, while supporting the creative industries, one of the UK’s fastest growing sectors.
iCCi and University of Kent are developing Docking Station, in partnership with Medway Council and the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust.