KEiBA tour
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BEST LEISURE AND
TOURISM BUSINESS (sponsored by VisitKent)
Chatham Historic Dockyard
Trust
On the 25th anniversary of the
closure of the Royal Navy dockyard, there could hardly be a more
appropriate winner than this leading maritime attraction that has
emerged so impressively from the dark days of disappointment.
In 1984, the Medway Towns were plunged into
economic trauma by that seismic event. Unemployment soared to
nearly 20 per cent. Businesses that had served the dockyard and
Royal Navy for decades faced closure.
Yet 25 years on, Chatham Historic Dockyard has
become a popular destination for visitors, an iconic symbol of sea
power that constructed Admiral Lord Nelson’s flagship HMS
Victory.
The dockyard recalls the great days of the
Royal Navy and the part played over centuries by Chatham Dockyard,
its employees and the people of Medway. It also preserves a site of
architectural, archaeological and historic significance for
generations to enjoy and admire.
The historic Georgian dockyard – run by a
charitable trust - provides a stimulating combination of naval
history, modern business and residential use. Last year, it
attracted more than 150,000 visitors and hosted 20,000 formal
education visits.
Just as it was in its naval heyday, it is a
hive of business activity, with 120 enterprises based there. It is
also a special place for the people who live in the dockyard’s 112
homes.
New uses have been found for old buildings.
The Joiners Shop, for example, which made the table sat at by
successive Presidents in The White House, has been tastefully
refurbished to offer ideal space to creative businesses.
Visitors can learn about shipbuilding and
Chatham’s role from the Spanish Armada in 1588 to the Falklands War
in 1982.
Historic buildings such as The Ropery and
Brunel Saw Mill tell the story of early industrialisation while
warships HMS Gannet (1878), HMS Cavalier (1944) and HMS Ocelot
(1961) bring naval history to life.
Commissioners’ House, the only intact naval
building still in use today, provides a unique venue for weddings,
business and social events.
The dockyard is working with the Imperial War
Museum and National Maritime Museum to create a world class
collection of artefacts that they do not have enough space to
display. It will also offer temporary exhibition space that
promises to rival the best.
Factfile
Winner
Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust
Location: Chatham
Business Sector: Leisure and tourism
Key Product/Services: Visitor attraction
Number of Employees: 102
Established: April 1984
Runners-up
English Wines Group plc
Location: Tenterden
Business Sector: Production, marketing and
sales of English wine.
Key Product/Services: English wine
Number of Employees: 24
Established: January 2002
Leeds Castle
Company
address
Maidstone
Business sector
Leisure and tourism / heritage property
Key
product/service Visitor
attraction
Number of employees
200 fte
Started
trading
July 1974
Thursday, June 25 2009
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