It was the place to pay off bills and sort out planning issues. But Riverside One in Chatham town centre will soon be alive with sound of music.

The former council office in Dock Road has been taken over by Nucleus Arts and it is to be turned into a studio for budding musicians across Medway.

And who better to set it up than Jamie Johnson, a finalist in The Voice 2014?

The popular singer/songwriter has been helping to fit out the building next to the bus station and transform it into a place where anyone can drop in to write, rehearse and record music.

Jamie, 22, from Gillingham, has been inundated with gigs and performances since he reached the final of the hit show under the guidance of his mentor Kylie Minogue.

But he said the newly-named Riverside One Studios ranks as one of his most exciting projects and can’t wait to get it up and running early in the new year.

Jamie said: “I really want this place to work and I know it will be great for the community. We have only just got the keys but when we did, I couldn’t wait to get started that evening as I’m so excited.”

Four rehearsal/recording rooms are planned and a control studio room with facilities to record a single or an album.

There will also be a viewing area where musician can interact and share different genres of music.

Jamie said: “This is important to me, because when I was 14, while I had all the support of my family and friends, I had nowhere to actually go and rehearse and record.

“I knew I wanted to make music my full-time career but I didn’t know what to do to get there or what to do next. A good few years later, I was thrown in at the deep end and then had to teach myself.

“I have always thought it would be great if there was somewhere for people to go to have an insight into the professional side of things and maybe have some help learning what they want to know, from looking after equipment to how to use or stand in front of a microphone.

Jamie who is working on the conversion with Jack Collier, 25, the bassist in his band, hopes to make it a live music venue for local bands and hold open mic evenings.

Help is needed to move the project forward. Jamie said: “We have producers, songwriters and companies on board, donating their time and expertise to get this project off the ground, but we are now at a stage where we need your help.

“We need donations for building materials, furniture, carpet, lighting and music equipment.

If you can help email riversideonestudios@hotmail.com