Work has recently begun at the Police Section House, a Grade II listed Scheduled Ancient Monument at The Historic Dockyard Chatham. This innovative project will see this building transformed into the eagerly awaited Docking Station – a groundbreaking initiative set to transform Medway’s creative and digital industries.
At b&m, we are not only proud to play a pivotal role in this exciting project, but are hugely looking forward to seeing Medway’s community benefit from the state-of-the-art facilities that Docking Station will bring to the region.
A vision for Medway’s digital future
Docking Station, spearheaded by the University of Kent’s Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries (iCCi) and in partnership with Medway Council and The Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, is not only bold, but an important aspect of the current cultural and economic transformation of Medway.
This project involves the restoration and transformation of the Grade II listed Police Section House at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, turning it into a leading hub for digital and creative industries. While this project focuses both on historic preservation and offering innovative, cutting-edge technology, Docking Station is also expected to encourage economic growth, create new job opportunities, retain local talent, and form a central hub for creatives in the region.
Set to be completed in the latter half of 2026, Medway’s Docking Station will feature state-of-the-art digital production studios, including LED virtual production, motion capture, volumetric capture, and photogrammetry for students and locals alike. It will also provide flexible teaching spaces, co-working areas, performance and exhibition venues, and a diverse range of public programs, all aimed at fostering innovation and collaboration between academia, industry, and the community.
Why the Docking Station matters
As Medway looks to strengthen its position within the UK’s technological and cultural sectors, Docking Station is a game-changer for anyone interested in creative technology. In fact, this exciting project has already secured significant funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England’s Cultural Development Fund, the Levelling Up Fund and the Colyer Fergusson Charitable Trust, reinforcing its cultural significance.
Conveniently located between the University’s Pembroke campus and its Historic Dockyard premises, creatives from across the region will be able to use Docking Station in all kinds of ways that support both professional and creative growth.
Looking to benefit those in the gaming, film, and advertising sectors, students and academics will be able to get hands-on experience with industry-standard production studios and teaching spaces, as well as learn skills such as motion capture and virtual production. Entrepreneurs and start-ups will have access to co-working areas designed for collaboration and networking, while established businesses can use the new high-tech facilities to discover innovative ways to create digital content, including cutting edge capture and film studios and post-production editing studios.
On top of this, local artists and creators will benefit from performance and exhibition spaces, allowing them to showcase their work, engage with the community, and contribute to Medway’s growing cultural scene.
David Sefton, Director of iCCi at the University of Kent, has described Docking Station as a “unique hub, equipped with industry-standard production technologies.” This project will empower local businesses, students, and the wider community by providing them with hands-on access to important digital technologies, positioning Medway as a key player in the UK’s creative sector.
How we are helping bring this project to life
As the appointed Quantity Surveyors for Docking Station project, b&m has been instrumental in managing the financial and contractual aspects of this development. Quantity Surveying plays a vital role in any construction project, ensuring cost control, risk mitigation, and financial accountability, amongst an array of other vital responsibilities. Our team at b&m has worked diligently to ensure that the Docking Station is delivered within budget while maintaining the highest quality standards.
One of our Core Values is Collaboration, which we feel this project lets us achieve in full. Our approach to Quantity Surveying goes beyond numbers and financial planning and allows us to strengthen relationships with all project stakeholders. We ensure close collaboration with architects, contractors, and conservation specialists, the latter of which is integral to the historic conservation of the building we are working on. Our collaborative approach also allows us to ensure that every decision made aligns with both the financial boundaries of the project and the broader vision of Docking Station, with the community benefit at the core of all plans.
We believe that open and transparent communication helps not only to streamline the construction process but allows us to help create a project that benefits the community for generations to come, which we wholly believe the Docking Station will do.
Proud collaborators of this project
At b&m, we are incredibly excited to be part of this fantastic project that transforms the last remaining undeveloped part of the former Dockyard site, and look forward to seeing its successful completion in due course. We’re certain that our expertise in Quantity Surveying will ensure that the Docking Station is built with integrity and efficiency, helping to benefit Medway’s community in countless ways for decades to come.
We are proud to have collaborated with the University of Kent on numerous projects over the years, and we greatly appreciate their trust in our expertise. We look forward to further supporting them on projects that similarly drive innovation, education, and cultural development.
