Sheerness Revival contractors
Published
Wednesday 15 January, 2025
Updated
Thursday 16 January, 2025
The Sheerness Revival project takes its next big step with contractors being appointed for two of the major projects.
Swale Borough Council’s £20 million regeneration project, funded by the UK Government, aims to improve the health, leisure, education and employment opportunities on the Isle of Sheppey through three major projects.
These distinct elements are - to expand EKC Sheppey College, to renovate the leisure centre at Beachfields, including upgrades to the GP Practice, and to create business units for young entrepreneurs at Masters House.
The council has agreed to appoint Building Associates Ltd to remodel the existing unused garages at Masters House into new makers workshops following a thorough tender process.
The new modern and sustainably built workshops will provide the perfect space for artists, ceramists, woodworkers, screen printers and more to practice their craft and create and grow a business.
Local charity Launch It will work with and empower these young entrepreneurs - between the ages of 18 and 30 – to fulfil their potential by providing the space, mentoring, and training needed to start a business.
Whilst East Kent Colleges Group (EKC Group) has appointed Jenner Contractors Ltd as its preferred contractor, to help expand the college, following an open and competitive tender process.
The 900 square meters of new teaching space will not only accommodate more students, but also offer a wider range of courses, including creative, engineering, and logistics subjects.
This will equip local 16–19-year-olds with the skills they need to thrive in today's job market and contribute to the local economy.
The third element, the council’s plans for Sheppey Leisure Complex, will be decided by the planning committee on 16 January, and if approved will reconfigure and modernise the current GP facilities, create a purpose-built space for local charity Sheppey Matters, and refurbish and expand the existing gym facilities.
The proposals for the Beachfields site also include a new soft play area, tag active - a modern fun obstacle course, an outdoor gym, heritage-themed adventure golf course, and improved site accessibility.
Cllr Monique Bonney, chair of the Economy and Property Committee, said:
"We have been working on detailed plans for our ambitious regeneration project so that we get the most value for our residents as possible from this funding.
"We knew what we wanted to achieve, improving, health, leisure, education and employment on the island, but now we know who is going to help us accomplish this.
"We had a number of great bids from contractors for both the projects at Masters House which has allowed us to pick the best contractor for the job.
"EKC Group has also announced their chosen contractor to help expand the college, it is amazing to see all of the Sheerness Revival projects picking up speed - we have a very busy year ahead of us."
Dan Shelley, Chief Infrastructure and Transformation Officer, said:
“Jenner Contractors Ltd were chosen as our main contractor after a competitive tender process.
“As a Group, we’re committed to using local suppliers wherever we can, so it was brilliant to have such a competitive tender from this local company.
“They were chosen for the ability to deliver this project within a short timeframe and to a high degree of quality, whilst also achieving the best value for money.
"It’s also wonderful to appoint Jenner as they have committed to a range of additional activities that will benefit our students, such as attending careers events, carrying out talks about the construction industry and offering work experience placements.
“We are incredibly excited to move forward with Jenner in delivering an additional 900m2 of educational space in Sheerness, focused on supporting the engineering, logistics and creative sectors, which will benefit the local community and wider Isle of Sheppey for many years to come."
