The Joiners Shop – Chatham

Background

Situated at the heart of Chatham’s Historic Dockyard, this unique Scheduled Ancient Monument stands as an arresting showcase for contemporary innovation and is an axis for the creative sector across the north Kent region.

Chathams Historic Dockyard is stewarded by Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, a registered charity, along with SEEDA and the local council.  They were tasked with the recovery of the declining dockyard and surrounding area after the last ships left the dock in 1984.

Solution

The Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, SEEDA and the local council decided, as part of the recovery and regeneration of the dockyard, to develop the old Joiners Shop into a centre for creative businesses encouraging businesses to the dockyard.  The 200 year old structure underwent a £3.5m facelift resulting from an estblished Basepoint/SEEDA partnership and provides 19,000sqft of high-specification commercial accommodation and creative space comprising of studios, workshops, office units, meeting rooms and communal facilities.

Many of the buildings remarkable original features were preserved and incorporated into the design of the new design.

Results

Since opening in 2008 the centre has accommodated and supported 60 local starter businesses in the creative industries.  This has created 270 jobs at the centre.

Further to this, the centre was also winner of the BCA Award for the Best Workspace 2011.

Testimonial

"Basepoint have been managing The Joiners Shop on behalf of the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust since 2009 when it was opened as a centre for creative business.  The management team and staff provide an excellent service which has been proven by winning the BCA National Workspace of the year in 2011 and keeping the centre fully occupied since 2010.”

Chris Knott
Financial Director
Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust - The Joiners Shop – Creative Business Centre

Case Study 2 - The Joiners Shop - Chatham Gallery