A community information hub will become the latest addition to a town's high street.

It comes as Swale Media Arts Centre announced a new partnership with Swale council in launching the facilities for residents and visitors.

The Community Information Hub is based in Sittingbourne High Street and is part of number 34, the home of the Media Arts Centre.

It will have a soft launch on Friday and promises to provide a "much-needed" street-based access point for information on the local area.

People will also be offered training in customer service and tourism.

The new tenants for the High Street spot were announced in 2020, after organisations were asked to bid for the site, which has been an arts and culture space for nearly 10 years. It took over the former Ideas Test offices site.

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.”

The Media Arts Centre was set up in 2021 by local volunteers wanting to bring creativity, learning, knowledge sharing and empowerment to all.

It supports more than 2000 people every year to have access to art, cultural experiences, learning opportunities and community volunteering.

The information Hub desk will initially be staffed one day a week and will be open from 10-4pm.

It hopes to offer a full weekly service once volunteers are recruited.

The soft launch of the hub will take place on Friday from 4pm to 8pm and Mayor of Swale Simon Clark will be attending.

A formal opening is set to take place in late spring but no official dates have been announced yet.

The event will be hosted by Kent Wildlife Rescue Service who will hold an exhibition of local artwork promoting conservation and animal welfare.

Volunteer Sarah Stephen said: "It’s fabulous to see the Hub come to fruition and hopefully become a vocal point for visitors and residents to visit and network in, joining community groups, heritage groups and charities together giving Sittingbourne a much needed community information base in the centre of town."

For more information in the Community Information Hub please contact the Swale Media Arts Centre on swalemediaartscentre@gmail.com or contact Ken Rowles on 07831 563354.