by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Kent's largest conference centre is to open in March.

The £1.1m project at the Kent Showground will offer space for a range of shows and meetings, with seating capacity for up to 1,000 people.

Transformation of the Stanley Cornwallis Building is already underway and is the first phase of a multi-million pound redevelopment of the showground.

The second phase will be a £6m upgrade of the Kent Pavilion which is unlikely to be completed for several years.

The first project, provisionally called Kent Conference Centre (KCC), will provide a range of facilities, from small business meetings to tractor launches and award ceremonies.

Carpeted for most of the time, the floor will be covered during the Kent County Show to display livestock.

The centre is being funded by a £500,000 25-year bank loan, and reserves of the Kent County Agricultural Society, the showground owners.

KCAS chairman George Jessel said it would be the largest conference centre in the county, even when the Bluewater Events Venue opens in December 2011.

He wanted the KCC to become the centre of choice for customers across the county, as well as beyond.

It was ideally situated in the heart of Kent and booking inquiries were already coming in. The first show is due to open in mid-March.

"It puts the county showground at the top of the big league,†he said.

"Between the two new buildings, we will have an events centre that is fit for purpose and meets every eventuality."