A new £10 million office complex heralds the creation of up to 350 jobs.

Herald, the latest building on Eureka Park, Ashford, is another milestone in the town’s quest to attract quality employers ahead of the introduction of high-speed domestic rail services between Ashford and London in December 2009..

The development by Quadrant Estates and landowner Trinity College is the only headquarters building of its size under construction in Kent. It is due to be ready by Christmas.

Quadrant director Tristram Gethin took part in a topping-out ceremony with Keith Burns, director of Verry Construction, the builder, and Cllr Michael Claughton, of Ashford council, to mark completion of the early stages of construction.

Mr Gethin said that in spite of the economic downturn, there had been serious inquiries from potential tenants.

"We’ve got several parties taking good interest and I would like to think we will find somebody well before Christmas," he said.

There was a shortage of new offices in the county and the take-up of office space had risen dramatically in the past couple of years.

Mr Gethin is looking for rent of £19.75 per sq ft for Herald.

Cllr Claughton, a member of Ashford council’s executive cabinet, said the new building was good news for the town.

"This does herald the start of some more very good news business-wise in Ashford," he said. "There are huge opportunities in Ashford and none more so than here at Eureka Park."

He added that the new building, which is being built by Verry Construction, showed confidence in Ashford. "The pieces of the economic jigsaw are now fitting together. There have been setbacks but we are seeing light at the end of the tunnel."