A pioneering print firm has become the latest company to up sticks from the capital in a bid to go green in Kent.

ARC-UK Technologies will become one of the first print businesses in the county to work towards being carbon-neutral with its newly built £1.2 million site near Dartford town centre.

The company is the UK arm of global print giant ARC Document Solutions and provides digital print and document imaging.

Its decision to move to a new 30,000 sq ft site off the A2026 Victoria Road forms part of a growing trend post-Covid of businesses looking to relocate from London to Kent.

The unit includes a team building and relaxation space for customers and employees with interactive screens, a golf simulator, a bowling game and refreshments.

The business, which employs 60 people in the UK, is also looking to bolster its ranks by adding 12 local staff by the end of the year and will invest in new printing equipment.

It's hoped the move will kickstart Kent County Council’s plans to be carbon neutral by 2050 with ARC-UK unveiling its own green strategy and commitment to work towards the target.

The company welcomed Dartford Mayor Rosanna Currans, who was joined by council leader Jeremy Kite to open its new UK headquarters on Friday.

Cllr Currans said: “We welcome ARC-UK Technologies to Dartford. The company will be a great asset to the community.

"Its carbon neutral strategy makes a huge contribution to our environment ambitions. It is wonderful to see a business committed to helping the environment and supporting its staff.”

Darren Moorhouse, head of Sales for ARC UK-Technologies, said: “We believe strongly in helping our environment and investing in our staff’s wellbeing.

"The new facility sets a precedent for the industry as we become one of the first printing companies to work towards being carbon neutral.

"Not only does it cater for our highly skilled and talented people but has the space to accommodate our planned growth as we look to recruit people locally.”

Mr Moorhouse added: “We are unlike most print businesses in that we also offer scanning and archival services that can then be used with our own proprietary technology products, such as our ARC facilities software which helps people to run their facilities more efficiently.

"The amalgamation of digital printing services and document technology products has made us unusual and has brought about a steady increase in business especially with people needing to digitise their documentation post-pandemic.

"We like to be pioneers, not just in business but when it comes to making changes and improving our local community.”