Medway Council, The University of Kent and the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust have signed a historic partnership agreement to help drive Medway's social, economic and cultural development.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) - signed at a ceremony in Chatham on Friday, 14 June - outlines a joint commitment to support and encourage new business, boost existing businesses and skills development for the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) over the next 5 to 10 years. It will position Medway as a vibrant centre for creative production in the Thames Estuary Production Corridor.
The partnership will provide essential support for artists and creative businesses by shaping dedicated creative clusters and encourage community engagement in cultural and heritage activities, supporting Medway Council’s wider culture-led regeneration ambitions.
Central to the vision is Docking Station, a new creative production centre due to open at the Dockyard in early 2026, that will provide state-of-the-art production studios, co-working space and support for Medway’s creative businesses. In addition, the provision for grow-on space for businesses will potentially be developed at The Historic Dockyard and at the Brook Theatre and/or at other High St locations in Chatham.
Working together, the partners will produce a timeline that includes the development of assets, business environment and cultural programmes, with ambitious targets over the next 10 years.
A pioneering commitment to creative industries
Professor Georgina Randsley de Moura, Acting Vice Chancellor at the University of Kent said: “I am delighted that after months of hard work with a range of regional organisations and community groups, today we are taking the next step in demonstrating our pioneering commitment to the development of creative industries in Medway. I look forward to seeing the benefits for local people and businesses over the next decade, with Medway as a creative centre for the UK.”
Richard Morsley, Chief Executive at Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust said: "By joining forces on the ambitious Docking Station project, the University of Kent, Medway Council, and the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust are positioning Medway as a leading centre for creative production. This Memorandum of Understanding represents our collective commitment to fostering innovation, nurturing talent, and driving socio-economic growth in the cultural and creative industries. Together, we are not only preserving a significant historic building for future generations but also providing essential support and infrastructure to enable the creative industries to thrive in Medway.”
Advancing our shared ambitions
Commenting on the new Memorandum of Understanding, Adam Bryan, Medway Council’s Director of Place said: “We are delighted to sign this important agreement strengthening our partnership with the Historic Dockyard Chatham and the University of Kent’s ICCI. It builds on the One Medway Charter signed by us all last year and advances our shared ambitions. Through our joint working, in particular the development of the Docking Station, we are taking a big step forward to create some exciting education, skills and career pathways for Medway’s young people and residents in the creative digital industries, one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK as well as broadening the opportunity for all Medway residents to participate in cultural and creative activities.”