The new tenants for an arts centre in Swale have now been revealed.

People across the borough will soon have a space to explore their creative side and artistic talents as Swale Media Arts Centre has been announced as the new leaseholder last week.

It comes after organisations were asked to bid for the site at No. 34 High Street, Sittingbourne, which has been an arts and culture space for nearly 10 years.

Cllr Ken Rowles (Lab) had been fighting for the centre to stay in the town after suggestions it may be moved to Faversham.

The director, who has been heavily involved in the Swale Film Festival since 2008, believes the borough has a history of talented film makers, which should be supported.

He said: “Swale has a history of talented film makers, including Albert Smith, from Faversham, Terry Nation of Doctor Who fame who created the Daleks, Bernard Lee who was M in many early 007 Bond movies, Eric Barker acting in many Carry On films and local war artists such as Ardizzone.

“I always thought it was important that we have a media art centre in Swale and the high street address became available which has been used as an art centre for years. We hope to attract young and old to events and workshops.”

Cllr Monique Bonney, cabinet member for economy and property at Swale council, said: “We’ve awarded the lease to them to create a creative hub for media and arts professionals, hold exhibitions of local artists work, hold events and activities for the local community and provide media equipment for exploration, learning and development.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our budding media students and artists to explore their talents, and for our community to take part in creative workshops and group activities.”

Helen Stock, co-director at Swale Media Arts Centre, said: “We’re delighted to be the new lease holder at this historic building right on Sittingbourne High Street.

“We plan to create an activity, exhibition and creative space on the ground floor shop front, along with a dark room for photography and possibly a sound proof studio for bands to practice in.

“There is a large space on the first floor that we would use for events, workshops and training, and we plan to create a media library with archive films, texts and memorabilia spanning over 100 years.”

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