Groundbreaking Multi Million Pound Dover Beacon Project Takes Next Exciting Step

Groundbreaking at the Dover Beacon site - left to right are: Gregory Wilkinson and Grace O'Donnell from MHCLG; Cllr Kevin Mills, Leader of DDC; and Martin Sandell from Jenner

A multi million pound landmark development in Bench Street, Dover has taken the next exciting step – with a groundbreaking ceremony held today, as construction work starts as part of the transformational Dover Beacon project.

Dover District Council has signed a contract with Folkestone-based contractors Jenner for the construction of a four-storey building, to be known as The Bench, with construction work now getting fully underway.    

The Dover Beacon project is set to deliver over £90m of economic benefit, bringing investment to boost jobs, skills and educational opportunities. The new Bench building is to be the catalyst for future investment in the town and district. A further education campus is set to enable local young people to access education, training and skills in creative and digital industries, and a business centre is to provide facilities to support start-ups and help small to medium sized businesses to grow. A creative centre is to facilitate contemporary film making, digital creativity and immersive art.  

This latest step follows a range of archaeological works, which started in April led by the Canterbury Archaeological Trust, site enabling works being undertaken, and the go ahead being given by planners earlier in the year. 

Building work is set to be completed in spring 2026, when the building is to be handed to tenant businesses/organisations for fitting out works.  

Cllr Kevin Mills, Leader of Dover District Council said: “We are very pleased to see the groundbreaking ceremony take place and to see construction work starting.  This is fantastic news that will provide an incredible boost to Dover and the area, supporting regeneration, providing business and creative spaces, and creating exciting new jobs and access to education, training and skills opportunities for young people.” 

Martin Sandall, Managing Director of Jenner said: “We are delighted to be appointed to deliver such a flagship building, on our doorstep with a firm commitment to a local supply chain and to giving back to Dover and its surrounding community. The investment made into these new facilities will have such a positively profound impact upon Dover town centre and beyond, and we are proud to play such an instrumental part in this regeneration project.” 

For more information, please see the DDC website at www.dover.gov.uk/regeneration

Left to right above are: Cllr Edward Biggs, the Town Mayor of Dover; Cllr Kevin Mills, Leader of DDC; Martin Sandell CEO from Jenner; and Chris Townend, Head of Place and Growth at DDC.

Notes:

The Dover Beacon project is funded by two key funding streams, combined to deliver creative solutions for the future of the town, and includes:   

• A creative centre and underpass improvements with £3.2m of funding from the Future High Street Fund, together with a £1.7m commitment from DDC
• An education campus, business start-up centre, and improved public realm with £18.1m funding awarded from the Levelling Up Fund, together with £1.8m from DDC.