The Business Terrace still has a slight smell of fresh paint as Matt Fillery sits down in his new office.

The freelance designer has moved his creative agency 1Thirty3 Design from his Kent home to a pod in Maidstone’s Gateway building, sharing with two other companies.

His neighbours – Ahmed Nuaman, of Firestarter Media, and Craig Dennis, of Simple Bit Design – are past acquaintances and keen to collaborate.

“One of the reasons I share with Ahmed and Craig is because we have done work together in the past,” said Matt.

“If a client comes to me and needs a whole corporate identity, I can pass over parts to these guys, who have expertise in different areas to me, and vice versa.”

Maidstone council spent £250,000 on the new office space, which features six sharing offices, 15 bookable hotdesks, a meeting room, seminar space and 100MB of Wi-fi installed by Aylesford-based technology firm Icom.

The council is keen to shout about its latest venture after Kent County Council revealed proposals to exit the Maidstone Gateway in a cost saving exercise. The Business Terrace is not under threat from the move.

There are more than 9,000 home-based workers in the Maidstone borough, according to the 2011 census, but research has shown that many feel working from their kitchen can be a barrier to growth.

Maidstone council’s economic development officer Karen Franek said: “There is a growing phenomenon of people setting up businesses from home because it is less expensive. However, they can be isolated.

“We don’t want to get them out of their homes, where they’re happy, but instead give them somewhere where they can have a professional front and meet other businesses.”

“I also work harder here because I’m paying someone for the privilege. I have to make it worthwhile..." - Ahmed Nuaman, Firestarter Media

The companies at the Business Terrace appear to be lapping up their new surroundings. The council had a waiting list of 25 when it opened.

“I’m looking to get interns and run workshops,” said Ahmed. “I’ve got a prime opportunity to use the shared space here.

“I also work harder here because I’m paying someone for the privilege. I have to make it worthwhile.

“Plus there are no kids and no wife trying to hoover around your feet.”

Sarah MacDonald and Jo Hage have moved their start-up communications agency Rise to an office in the building.

“As a really new start-up it’s important for us to be out there,” said Jo.

“This offers us a great opportunity to hotdesk and meet new people and build relationships.”

Sarah added: “We used to be at Maidstone Studios and you didn’t get to meet anyone because the offices are all in corridors.

“Here we are near the shops in Maidstone and I can often go over and have a one-on-one meeting with a client rather than by phone or email.

“Also the office is affordable. We were surprised by the price.”

Liz Willmott, who has taken an office for her firm Pentascape Limited, said: “We were looking for an office and it is so expensive in the private sector.

“You have to take a two-year lease and there are very few office spaces on the market.

“This is a nice, central location. It makes you seem more professional rather than meeting at home or at a coffee shop. I have to go outside to go to work.”