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The founder of a new co-working space billed as Kent's "mini Silicon Valley" says it will create a legacy for generations to come.
As we progress through the government's roadmap to easing lockdown a historic building reopened its doors in Dartford town centre this week.
Formerly known as the Dartford Magistrates Court and police station, the landmark site in Highfield Road originally built in 1843, shut its doors for good more than four years ago.
But it has now been given a new lease of life as a co-working space dubbed the Hill Hub development, which officially opened on Monday.
Office space for entrepreneurs, freelancers and start ups have been crafted from refurbished former cell blocks while maintaining key historical and architectural features.
The complex will have room for up to 120 people with a mix of large, open-plan offices and smaller personalised spaces.
There will also be meeting rooms, a roof terrace, disabled access and "The Justice Cafe" open for public use.
At one point you needed a blue badge to work at the former police station, but now its owners say all you need is an idea and a desire to make it work.
Rehoboth Property chief executive Sanmi Adegoke, who has been steering the project, says the new development has the makings of a "mini Silicon Valley".
“A key aspect of the business development at The Hill Hub is to offer funding opportunities and expertise to start-up businesses especially post Covid-19” says Sanmi.
As winners of the Outstanding Property Award London 2020, Samni adds the space aims "to create a legacy for generations to come".
Sanmi also hopes the Hill Hub will "reconstruct the narrative surrounding business success and ownership" and forge new opportunities for underrepresented communities in business.
To help achieve its aims he says the legacy centre will also serve as an "incubator" for businessmen and women to get new ventures off the ground.
This will be supported by a million pound fund to be pumped into young enterprises alongside, training, mentoring, workshops, and investment opportunities.
They have also teamed up with Kent Foundation, a charity offering free business advice and mentoring to young entrepreneurs and business owners in the county aged 30 and under.
Speaking in December, director of The Kent Foundation, Stuart Tanton, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for The Kent Foundation to be involved with such an ambitious initiative in Dartford.
"Our partnership with The Hill Hub and the support we will be able to provide existing businesses in the area, as well as new start-up businesses will be great for the local area, as well as the local economy.
"We are very much looking forward to becoming part of the local business support network in Dartford, with a real emphasis on not just supporting new businesses in the area, but making Dartford an even greater place to stay in business.”
Networking events are also planned to allow business owners to showcase and connect to the wider Dartford and Kent business community.
