An historic church, which was left in ruin for more than 20 years after a devastating fire, has been turned into a “world-class” business hub following its multi-million-pound restoration.

The Sheerness Dockyard Church, on Sheppey, was engulfed in flames and burned down to rubble after a huge blaze in May 2001.

But finally, after two decades of being left to rot without a roof, the building has been overhauled and turned into an enterprise centre named Island Works.

The renovated place of worship will be used by 16 to 30-year-olds looking to grow their own business.

It officially opened last night where a ceremony marked the final step of a journey which has been on the cards for eight years since the Sheerness Dockyard Preservation Trust (SDPT) – led by chairman and son of TV star Michael, Will Palin - stepped up to help with its refurbishment.

Speaking at its relaunch, the 52-year-old says he is proud to see the project turn into “a beacon of hope” for residents of the Island.

He explained: “In 2020, we embarked on this epic project to rescue and restore the Dockyard Church which had been decaying for almost two decades.

“Three years later we are able to look back with enormous pride and satisfaction at its transformation from a desperate ruin to an architectural wonder.

“It has gone from a symbol of decline to a beacon of hope, and is now a vital economic and cultural asset in this often overlooked part of north Kent.

“Cracked brickwork was knitted back together and stonework meticulously repaired, as the majestic new roof, supported by new timber trusses, sits behind a stone balustrade – a faithful reproduction of the original Georgian design.

“So I’m really proud of how far we’ve come, and the journey has been intense and extreme, but one where the satisfaction is enormous.

“It stands as proof that even our most battered, desperate and seemingly hopeless heritage treasures can be brought back to life if there is a compelling vision.”

The site, which opened in 1829 as part of the complete redevelopment of the Naval Dockyard, suffered its first fire in 1881 and was forced to be partly rebuilt.

Following the closure of the Naval Dockyard in 1960, the church continued its status as a place of worship, before it was closed entirely in the 1970s and then used as a sports club. It was empty at the time of the 2001 fire.

However, the site was acquired by Swale Borough Council (SBC) in 2016 via compulsory purchase, where ownership was eventually transferred to the SDPT.

A £5.2 million donation from the National Lottery Heritage Fund was then awarded in 2019 to help rebuild the site, before a further £3.2 million worth of contributions was given from various trusts and foundations, including Historic England.

The project, which eventually totalled £9.5 million, took a significant step when it appointed architects Hugh Broughton and conservation specialists Martin Ashley in 2020.

Work then focused on restoring the building’s exterior to its original 1828 design through the reinstatement of its hipped roof and high stone parapet wall.

However, the church’s interior has now been revamped to produce a modern design suited to the younger audience its rebuild has been completed for.

Director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund for London and the South, Stuart McLeod, added: “Sheerness Dockyard Church is one of the bigger projects we have supported for many reasons.

“It is an inspirational rescue of a neglected heritage building and by investing in skills development for young people, it will make a major difference to the local community and beyond.

“We anticipate Sheerness will benefit significantly from this transformational project.”