URGENT UPDATE: New images have surfaced, showcasing significant progress on a landmark building at the center of Dover’s transformative £21 million regeneration scheme. The new structure, named The Bench, is set to house a further education college campus, with plans for its opening in September 2024 now firmly on track.
Officials from Dover District Council confirm that The Bench is expected to welcome its first cohort of students as part of EKC Dover College‘s expansion efforts. “It won’t be long before The Bench building welcomes EKC Dover College as tenants,” the council stated, emphasizing the urgency of the project.
This innovative four-story facility will not only serve as an education hub but will also feature an arts education center tailored for aspiring art and design students. The completion date is projected for summer 2026, aligning with the academic year that begins in September.
The Bench is a crucial component of the Dover Beacon Project, located on Bench Street. This redevelopment initiative has received significant backing, with £18.1 million allocated from the government’s Levelling Up Fund and an additional £3.2 million from the Future High Streets Fund. The project is anticipated to generate over £90 million in economic benefits for the region, underscoring its importance to the local community.
The building’s development necessitated the demolition of several structures, including the popular former Funky Monkey nightclub and a neighboring post office, which were removed in August 2023. This change has stirred discussions among local residents about the balance between development and community heritage.
In addition to educational facilities, The Bench will host a business center aimed at supporting start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The East Kent Space Development Company is set to lead this initiative. Furthermore, Screen South, a non-profit digital creative organization, will establish gallery and studio spaces within the building, enhancing the cultural landscape of Dover.
A small riverside park is also planned for the area, promising to create a vibrant community space alongside the new educational and business facilities.
As construction progresses, the final stages will be completed by spring 2024, at which point tenants will begin fitting out their new spaces. With the educational landscape in Dover evolving rapidly, community members are closely watching this project unfold, eager to see how it will shape the future of education and business in the area.
Stay tuned for more updates as this major redevelopment continues to take shape, promising to redefine Dover’s cultural and economic future.
