A co-working space aimed at start-ups and growing businesses has been given the green light to open inside a shopping centre.

Medway Council’s proposed “Innovation Hub” for the first floor of the Pentagon in Chatham has been approved by its planning committee.

Approximately half of the first floor of the shopping complex will be transformed into a space offering office space and business mentoring for start-ups and small businesses.

It will share the floor with the authority’s planned Healthy Living Centre which has recently been allocated more funding.

The council says the new facility will also enable local businesses to access funding opportunities, and contribute to employment opportunities and overall economic growth.

Gradually, businesses have moved out of the first floor in preparation for the transformation of the first floor.

In their report, planning officers said the proposal would provide significant benefit to the area, increasing footfall for the shopping centre, and would generate a boost for Chatham town centre.

Due to the council being behind the application and the significance of the development, the application went to the planning committee last night (February 14) to be discussed and voted on by members.

The proposals received unanimous support, with councillors citing the value of bringing people into the town centre as well as offering start-up and small businesses important support and guidance.

Cllr Eddie Peake (Lab) said: “The location is ideal. It’s right in the centre, good use of the area, and I really think a hub like this could make all the difference.”

At the last full council meeting, there was unanimous approval for an allocation of £1.8 million for the delivery of the project.

It is a really important project, one that we are all keen to bring forward

Medway Council’s portfolio holder for housing and property, Cllr Naushabah Khan (Lab), called the agreed proposals a big milestone for the project.

She said: “This is all about unlocking the top floor of the Pentagon. We’ve had many a debate across this chamber about the strategy around the Pentagon and Chatham town centre.

“It is a really important project, one that we are all keen to bring forward.

“The Innovation Hub has lots and lots of opportunities and it’s all about the future of our high streets and this decision today is about a longer-term plan for the whole Chatham area.”

Planning committee members supported the application unanimously.

While there is no deadline for delivery of the Innovation Hub, a condition of the approval is work must begin within three years.