Helping to create a “digital Sittingbourne” is one of the aims of a new project opening in the town centre next month.

No.34 High Street, named after the building it’s based in, is being transformed into a venue which will have a mix of uses.

As well as being an exhibition space for the town’s £46 million regeneration project, it will also host a programme of events for creative businesses.

Jon Pratty, who is No.34’s creative network programmer, said: “It’s a mixture between an arts centre, a digital skills learning centre and a small business skills development centre.

“It will be a place where you would go if you had a small business and wanted to learn how to develop a social media presence or if you want to set up your own website.”

Day-long tutorials are to be held on both social media and websites, the first before Christmas on a date yet to be announced.

What has been confirmed is its opening day: Saturday, December 5.

Before then, Mr Pratty wants to hear from people working in creative industries to get involved in what’s planned.

“We are having a range of events we hope local business people will come to. We’re keen to build networks with creative industries, such as web design.

“We’ll be having round-table events inviting people to get together and talk about what needs to be done in Sittingbourne to get business moving and to spot new talent.”

Mr Pratty said he hoped to match people who have grown up with a range of IT skills, known as “digital natives”, with businesses which could make the most of their talents.

Other events will include a networking evening for web-based firms and another for women who work in creative industries.

"The point of this is to slowly, appropriately and carefully regenerate the area using digital technology..." - Jon Pratty

“We know there are quite a lot of people living around Conyer, Teynham, Sittingbourne who already work in creative industries and do it in London,” Mr Pratty added. “The point of this is to slowly, appropriately and carefully regenerate the area using digital technology.”

The project is backed by U+I, the new name for the Cathedral Group, part of the Spirit of Sittingbourne consortium overseeing the town’s regeneration.

It will be managed by arts organisation Ideas Test and has also received funding from Kent County Council, Swale council and Arts Council England.

To contact Mr Pratty, email jonnypratty@gmail.com. For more on No.34, visit www.ideastest.co.uk/no-34