Tourism is one of Kent’s major industries. Playing a central role in the regeneration of the area, it has a total direct expenditure in excess of £1.8bn and supports 49,555 jobs equating to just under 8% of employment in the county.
In Dover a number of catalytic projects will help to develop leisure and tourism, including Dover Waterfront Regeneration and Dover Sea Sports Centre. Dover Harbour Board is investing over £300m in the Port of Dover with four cross channel berths, a new marina and property development.
In Margate, internationally-recognised architect David Chipperfield Architects Limited has presented designs for the £15m landmark Turner Contemporary gallery. Other proposals for the town include a privately-built and run hotel and the renovation of the Winter Gardens to create a concert and conference facility.
Westwood Cross, the retail and leisure development in Thanet, owned and operated by Land Securities, is set for a major rise in footfall during 2008 following a multi-million pound investment in a 10-screen multiplex cinema, bingo and casino centre and new restaurants.
In Folkestone, the planned harbour development is a major mixed-use scheme including new hotels, a marina and residential units. Significant funding has been secured to develop a number of projects including a creative quarter, the existing coastal park, the seafront and the Leas Cliff Hall.
Canterbury continues to work on attracting new accommodation providers following the opening of the 72-bedroom Abode hotel in 2007. The expansion of the Canterbury Cricket Ground which includes a 130-bedroom Radisson hotel, conference centre and 73 new houses and flats has been approved. There are ambitious plans for the new Marlowe Theatre which will see it extended and modernised.
In the Thames Gateway, the new £62m tourist attraction, Dickens World in Chatham opened its doors to visitors in May and work has started near the site on a new 90-bedroom Ramada Encore hotel due to open in November. A 150-bedroom hotel and conference facility is planned for Rochester Riverside.
|
Medway Council has launched its plans to bid for World Heritage Site status for the Historic Dockyard and its surrounding area and fortifications. An exciting £14m project is planned to transform Number 1 Smithery into the ‘National Museum at Chatham’, which will include collections from the National Maritime Museum and Imperial War Museum.
In Gravesend, a development scheme in the Heritage Quarter will enhance leisure facilities as well as provide a new town centre hotel. Residential-led regeneration of the canal basin area has also made vast improvements to the basin itself, which now provides excellent marina facilities. The £6m restoration of historic Cobham Park is underway including refurbishment of a number of listed buildings. At Shorne Wood Country Park, a new visitor centre provides a great resource as well as being an exemplar of environmental sustainability.
Two current major tourism plans in Swale are the £37m project – Flying Start – which aims to celebrate Sheppey’s aviation heritage and an eco-tourism initiative focusing on Elmley Marshes.
In September 2007 the Stour Centre, Ashford’s multi-purpose leisure centre, was relaunched following a massive remodelling project making it one of the best of its kind in the South East. A £65m extension to Ashford's County Square Shopping Centre is due to be completed by spring 2008 – doubling it in size and featuring 22 new shops. The £1.7m Singleton Environment Centre is also due to open in 2008 and will serve as a local attraction and education resource.
From November 2007, high speed rail services will run from Ebbsfleet International to many European cities. From 2009, high speed domestic rail services between Kent and London will considerably reduce travel times from a number of locations across the county.
Selected investment in leisure and tourism schemes 2007
Click to view table (this will launch in a new window)
|
