New business park launches in Kent

A new business park has launched at Rochester Airport in Medway, Kent.

Innovation Park Medway offers up to 100,000m2 of high-quality commercial space in a prime spot between London and the continent.

It will also offer an attractive business rate discount to those who locate to the site – up to £55,000 annually for five years and a maximum of £275,000 per business.

The leader of Medway Council, Cllr Alan Jarrett, said the park offers ‘new and existing businesses the opportunity to grow and be surrounded by successful companies’.

‘The site also offers attractive business rates, something we were keen to introduce to further support our business community,’ added Cllr Jarrett.

‘We recognise the importance of helping businesses grow and to build foundations now to benefit Medway’s future.’

Innovation Park Medway welcomed its first resident in May, when staff at Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance relocated and settled into the unique, bespoke and brand-new building.

Medway has an ambitious vision to be a leading waterfront university city by 2035 and is now the biggest regeneration zone within the Thames Gateway and is one of the most promising growth areas in the South-East.

According to Medway Council, its economy is worth £5.17bn and there are 14,000 businesses based in the district.

‘This is an exciting time for Medway, with a monumental regeneration programme already underway and providing opportunities for those who live, study and work in the area,’ added Cllr Jarrett.

‘Medway is fast becoming known as the new economic powerhouse for the South East and has a growing reputation for innovative businesses.’

Rochester & Strood MP Kelly Tolhurst added: ‘Having been born, schooled and run a small business in Medway, this is a particularly exciting project for our towns which will boost local skills and our economy and maintain Medway as a great place to live and work into the future.

‘Medway already has a lot to shout about when it comes to high-skilled technology, engineering and manufacturing and Innovation Park Medway in its ideal location will only help increase local entrepreneurship and business growth.’