A government department and an employment agency are moving into a shopping centre.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has taken over a unit at the Dockside Outlet at Chatham Maritime.

The premises is currently being fitted out and it is hoped it will open early in the new year.

Reed in Partnership is also opening in support of the Restart Scheme – an employment programme commissioned by the DWP to support unemployed people back into work.

It will offer advice and guidance, skills training and recruitment support. It's anticipated at least 30 jobs will be available in that office alone.

The DWP has set up temporary job centres throughout this year to deal with increased demand.

Peter Everest, of Dockside Outlet owners WD Ltd, said: "We are delighted to confirm there will be two major jobs-focused occupiers coming to Dockside Outlet early in the New Year.

"We have let some of our upper and ancillary space to both entities for new offices.

"The lettings are in line with our strategy to remain community-focused and connected and also to ensure that the centre includes service providers.

"These innovative and community supportive focused lettings first started a few years ago when we let ancillary space in the centre to a critical service provider in the form of Dockside Nursery and Pre-School and, more recently, the Smile dental clinic.

"Furthermore, these new arrivals will come hard on the heels of several major retail recent lettings we have achieved as below with Beauty Outlet, The Fragrance Shop and the Pad Thai restaurant.

"It’s an incredibly exciting time for Dockside. The centre has continued to see footfall and sales growth and will continuing to innovate in terms of new and interesting tenants."