The first phase of a business park has opened with the promise of 250 jobs.

Vinters Business Park is being developed as part of Maidstone Studios,
which is already a vibrant hub for television and creative enterprise.

Some 35 companies and 500 people operate from there now. It is one of
the fastest-connected data centres in the country.

Joint studio owners Geoff Miles (chairman) and Rowland Kinch (chief
executive), who bought the former TVS studios in 2002, have invested
more than £500,000 in the first 5,000 sq ft phase.

The smart offices with views across Maidstone are home to the Outset specialist law firm
employing 30 people.

Mr Miles told guests at an opening ceremony last night that since
they took over, “television has been up and down and we soon realised
we needed to diversify.”

He said the plan was to create 35,000 sq ft of office space over the
next few years. Mr Kinch added that this would represent an
investment of around £2.5 million. “We’re talking in excess of 250
jobs.”

Kent County Council leader Paul Carter officially opened the complex.
“What a stunning new office extension,” he said, “with very much the
best views of Maidstone.”

He paid tribute to the studio owners, saying they had invested and
adapted in “the most creative way which delivers commercial success. I
hope we will now see Vinters Business Park grow to an even greater
extent.”

Jonathan Gauton, Outset’s chief executive, said: “We wanted premium
office space for high-calibre and committed staff, ease of access,
excellent technologies and super-fast reliable data facilities.”

Meanwhile, Maidstone Studios, which is home to several top-rating
television shows, including Later with Jools Holland, is expecting its
best ever financial year since the new owners took over.