A Digital Future for Medway: Unleashing the Power of Creative Technology

Blog

Set to open in Summer 2026, Docking Station, a £13.2M project,  aims to reshape the Kent and Medway’s digital future. Developed in partnership with the Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries (iCCi), Medway Council, and the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, this ambitious project will harness the power of creative technology, offering new opportunities for young people and the wider communities of Medway and Kent.

Restoring Heritage, Empowering the Future

At the heart of this vision is the restoration of a historic building within the Historic Dockyard. The project will involve the conversion of the old Police Section House, a Grade II listed Scheduled Ancient Monument, as well as the creation of a large new signature building to the rear of the property to house a suite of specialised digital studios. This iconic structure will be transformed into a cutting-edge hub, equipped with industry-standard production technologies such as virtual production and motion capture. Docking Station will provide local businesses, students, and community groups with the equipment they need to develop new skills in immersive technologies, driving the growth of Medway’s digital creative industries.

The next chapter for Education, Research, and Innovation

Docking Station represents more than just a state-of-the-art facility; it marks the beginning of a new chapter for the University of Kent. The project will enable the University to develop innovative collaborations with industry, offering flexible, industry-focused learning opportunities that enhance employability, foster entrepreneurship, and attract students to Medway’s growing digital sector. This development is a testament to the University’s commitment to delivering high-quality education, cutting-edge research, and meaningful civic engagement in Kent and Medway.

Medway: A Cultural Powerhouse in the Making

As the second-largest urban area in the Southeast outside London, Medway is poised to become a key player in the Thames Estuary Production Corridor. With its status as the largest regeneration zone within the Thames Gateway, Medway is well-placed to attract investment in its creative and cultural industries. Docking Station will be instrumental in this transformation, reinforcing Chatham’s position as a cultural production hub and driving economic growth across the region.

Innovative Spaces for the Region

Docking Station will be home to a selection of state-of-the-art facilities aimed to nurture creativity and innovation. The site, covering approximately 904 square metres, will include a café, exhibition and workshop spaces, co-working and incubator spaces for University of Kent graduates and small creative businesses, as well as workspaces for staff, a teaching lab, and a post-production/editing studio. The new building will feature a large virtual production studio with motion capture, volumetric capture studios, a photogrammetry studio, green rooms, and much more.

Eco-Friendly, Inclusive, and Iconic

Designed with sustainability and inclusivity in mind, Docking Station will provide a welcoming space for all. It will be a hub for knowledge exchange in the creative and cultural sectors, driving innovation, collaboration, and research. The project is set to inspire young people to study creative courses in Medway, such as Games Design and Screen Skills, and will help bridge the gap between university and the workplace through industry placements and live projects.

Driving a Vibrant Creative Economy

With the opening of Docking Station, Medway will be well-placed to become a vibrant centre for the creative industries. By developing collaboration between students, industry professionals, and local businesses, Docking Station will play a key role in driving the growth of the region’s creative economy, empowering the next generation of digital innovators.

This project is funded by Arts Council England, Heritage National Lottery Fund, Levelling Up Fund, the Colyer Fergusson Charitable Trust.