by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Trevor Baylis, inventor of the wind-up radio, is to unveil a new £8 million home for businesses.

The charismatic engineer will officially open Medway Innovation Centre on June 16.

Inspired by the need to communicate information about AIDS to African people, Mr Baylis developed a radio that was powered by a crank handle rather than battery or electricity, both of which were prohibitively expensive and, in many cases, unobtainable in remote areas.

In 1997, he was awarded the OBE. He now runs Trevor Baylis Brands plc, a company that helps inventors develop and protect their ideas.

The new centre, in Maidstone Road, Chatham, aims to develop and foster innovation and entrepreneurship in Medway. It is already home to some 30 fledgling businesses but has struggled to attract a big-name tenant.

However, the centre has already begun to strengthen European ties following a recent visit by business leaders from West Flanders, Belgium and Nord-Pas-de-Calais in Northern France. They also visited the Joiners Shop, home to creative businesses, in Chatham Historic Dockyard.

Nancy Moyaert, from a business support agency in West Flanders said: “This event has been very useful in allowing business support organisations, such as my own, to see how business centres in Medway work to support new and upcoming businesses.â€

Medway Council’s Portfolio holder for Strategic Development and Economic Growth, Cllr Jane Chitty said: “This project has given Medway businesses an exciting opportunity to understand the importance of working with our cross-Channel neighbours.â€

Medway Innovation Centre is backed by Medway council, the universities of Kent and Greenwich, BAE Systems and the Royal Bank of Scotland. Funding has come from Medway council (£4.7m). the Government and other sources.