Planned redevelopment of expired coalfields into an office village for start-up businesses has received an important cash boost.
The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) has pledged £250,000 in funding toward the Lakesview Office Village in Chislet, a village just outside Canterbury.
The project is aimed at addressing the area's shortage of office space for start-up businesses, micro-firms and Canterbury businesses seeking to expand.
The facilities will offer, in addition to serviced accommodation, start-up advice and on-site support from local business support agencies.
"We are very grateful to both SEEDA and the East Kent Partnership for agreeing to put money into this project," said Canterbury City councillor Jonh Gilbey.
"This reinforces their continued support for economic development in the Canterbury district and will make an important addition to the £100,000 the council is investing.
"However, this is only the first step. There is much more hard work to do before these facilities are made available to local businesses."
The development is part of SEEDA's Kent Coalfield Regeneration Programme, the agency's largest derelict land reclamation project in which it has recovered nearly 500 acres of brownfield industrial land in East Kent for redevelopment.
The 12-hectare former colliery site in Chislet ceased its mining operations in 1969. SEEDA said it hopes the development will "unlock" the region and act as a catalyst to wider developments and economic growth.
Organisers hope the office village to open next year.
