An £8.2m project to refurbish a run-down historic building in Chatham Historic Dockyard has been finished a year ahead of schedule.

The completion of the Fitted Rigging House means that for the first time in its 35-year history the award-winning tourist attraction is now financially sustainable with the flourishing business hub now generating £350k a year income.

To celebrate the achievement, CHD trust members have brought forward their five-year corporate plan which focuses on attracting more family visitors and increasing outreach activities.

A key message underpinning the 2020-2025 blueprint is "1,000 small improvements that collectively make a big impact", recognising the role staff and volunteers play in its success.

Following a two-year development period, the Grade I Fitted Rigging House was officially opened in October 2018 with anchor tenants Dovetail Games and Ward Security.

The previously underused building – which was at risk of irreversible disrepair – is now fully occupied, boosted by a £4.8 million pound lottery grant.

The trust has worked to complement the commercial tenancy spaces with a new volunteer centre to enhance facilities for the 300-strong workforce who help out maintaining historic warships,operating the model railway and researching archives.The renowned dockyard library and archives have been re-housed there improving access for visitors.

Bill Ferris, outgoing trust chief executive, said: "We are now able, for the first time, to make decisions that determine the optimum charitable return rather than simply meeting our core charitable commitments. As a charity, that gives us an exciting strategic opportunity to lay the ground for a sustainable future."

The restoration of the former dockyard riggers' accommodation now sees most of the trust's buildings in productive occupation either as gallery areas or to generate income from a diverse range of uses.

Mr Ferris said: "The site has been transformed from a dilapidated, empty post-industrial site into a thriving, well-restored, world-class heritage location where people live, work and visit."

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