A former Transport Minister came to the county to cut the ribbon on a new headquarters for a peer-to-peer lending company.

Stephen Hammond, who is the MP for Wimbledon, was invited by Gravesham MP Adam Holloway to formally open the new base of the Kuflink Group.

It has moved into the 4,500sq ft office former Blockbuster store in West Street, Gravesend, where it will employ 24 people. Its old office was at Lion Business Park.

The company, founded in 2011, is made up of Kuflink Bridging, which offers development funding, and its peer-to-peer lending platform focused on residential and commercial property.

The firm matches individual borrowers or companies with lenders who are looking for a return from the interest on their loans.

Mr Hammond said: “Businesses are vital to this country and often small business to not have access to the finances they need, and a lot of people have lost faith in the banks.

“This business will grow, and it will help other businesses to grow and become a part of the local economy.”

Chief executive Tarlochan Garcha said: “Launching our new headquarters in the centre of town is testament to the hard work and dedication of the Kuflink team – it marks the next stage in our development and we look forward to continuing our growth from our new base.

“We are confident in executing our plans of becoming a household name in the peer-to-peer industry. We are proud to invest alongside our lenders making us the safest platform in the country.”

Mr Holloway added: “The Kuflink Group is an innovative and entrepreneurial team of professionals and a fantastic member of the Gravesend community.

“I am delighted at their growth – it is so inspiring to see such home-grown talent flourish – and have no doubt they will continue to succeed in their endeavours.”