Future Chatham is now Future Medway!

Just like the past 8 years, we'll be providing information and perspectives on local development and regeneration - but with a focus on all five towns in Medway, being Chatham, Rochester, Rainham, Gillingham and Strood.

Take a look at our new website: futuremedway.co.uk.

The former Ryman stationary shop in Chatham has been sold at an auction.

The empty High Street store was snapped up for £362,000 at the Clive Emson auction last Thursday (15 June), which was higher than its guide price of between £280,000 and £290,000.

However, it was considerably less than its £480,000 price tag when it was last sold in 2002.

Ryman closed the branch - which was its only one in Medway - in May last year due to the the lease expiring.

It's understood that seven jobs were affected by the closure.

Estate agent Harrison Property Services was marketing the property at the time of the closure, with the freehold on sale for £500,000 or to rent for £35,000 a year.

The property includes the ground floor retail unit, mezzanine floors, storage space and staff facilities.

It's not yet known who has bought the store or what their future plans will entail.

Santander is set to give its branch that serves all five Medway towns a makeover.

The bank, located on Chatham High Street, will close on 29 June and reopen on 19 July.

Work will involve redecorating the branch and creating a new private customer room, while the face-to-face counter will stay in place.

It became Santander's last branch in Medway following the closure of its banks in Gillingham High Street in 2018 and Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre in 2021.

The nearest alternative Santander branch during the closure is at 96 High Street, Maidstone.

Customers are advised to continue to use mobile, online and telephone banking in the meantime.

The Post Office on Military Road, Chatham, can also be used for cash and cheque deposits, withdrawals and balance enquiries.

A Santander spokesperson said: “We’re modernising our Chatham branch to further improve the customer experience offered when using this branch.

"As well as maintaining a full counter service, customers will benefit from a new space where we will host small educational events, and a new dedicated private customer room for online, mobile, and telephone banking.”

Elsewhere in Chatham, the HSBC branch next to Santander received a facelift and lost its face-to-face counter in 2021, and Medway's last remaining Barclays bank faces an uncertain future after it was put up on the market last month.

A family-run arts organisation in Chatham is set to refurbish its venue and is calling on the public for their help.

Sun Pier House, located on Medway Street opposite B&M, has shared plans to give its three-storey venue a makeover.

Work will involve the long-awaited installation of a lift and the creation of eight new creative workspaces, including two accessible, multi-purpose workshops.

The project will also see signage and entrances across the venue improved and environmentally-friendly measures put in place, such as new windows.

​While the small, not-for-profit organisation secured a £630,000 capital grant from Arts Council England (ACE) towards the project, it still has funds to raise - £75,000 to be exact.

A fundraising campaign has now been launched to fulfil the ambition of transforming Sun Pier House into an "inclusive, accessible and exciting arts space."

Local residents and organisations are being encouraged to chip in with donations, big or small, through events such as quiz nights and raffles over the next year.

The organisation is also running a 'buy a brick' campaign, through which a £25 donation can buy a physical brick and a name of thanks on the wall of the new entrance lobby.

It's hoped that the building work will be completed by February 2024.

​Medway residents Heather Burgess and Edward Gransden founded Sun Pier House in 2012, taking over a former HSBC bank and offices next to Sun Pier.

The 1980s building has since been transformed by the pair, creating 26 artist studios, an exhibition gallery, a community hire space and a café overlooking the River Medway.

Alongside its venue, the arts organisation also runs several events and festivals in the town, including the Festival of Chatham Reach, Heritage Open Days and a monthly arts market.

​​A statement from Sun Pier House’s website reads:  "Sun Pier House is a collaborative and innovative arts organisation, but for the last 10 years we've been working with one arm tied behind our backs.

"With accessible and inclusive spaces, we will reach more people, make better programmes, and thrive.

"We named this project L!FT OFF because we feel the 10 years we've been operating so far have been a testbed for the organisation we'll become after this capital investment."

Find out more about ways to donate towards the revamp by clicking here.