As part of the celebrations for English Tourism Week 2025, the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust has released its latest economic impact report, reaffirming the significant role of The Historic Dockyard Chatham in supporting the Medway and Kent economies.
The report by Durnin Research Ltd highlights a contribution of £27.8 million to the local economy driven by employment, visitor spending, and business operations. This demonstrates the Dockyard’s significance as a cultural heritage destination and a powerful economic force contributing to England’s vibrant visitor economy.
Key economic contributions include:
- Gross Value Added (GVA): Activities associated with the Dockyard contributed approximately £27.8 million in GVA to the local economy in 2023. This includes impacts from visitor spending, procurement, and on-site business activities.
- Employment: The Historic Dockyard directly and indirectly sustains over 600 jobs, including 92.7 full-time equivalent positions directly associated with Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust. Close to 300 volunteers regularly contribute their time to important projects across the estate. Nearly 200 businesses operate within the Historic Dockyard estate, employing 580 full-time equivalents.
- Visitor impact: The Historic Dockyard Chatham generates a net additional economic impact exceeding £2.5 million from visitor activities. This includes over £1.8 million spent by visitors in Medway and Kent, in addition to their expenditure at the Dockyard. Filming activities contributed nearly £500,000 in additional GVA, while hospitality events added close to £125,000 in further GVA.
- Innovation and future growth: The introduction of the Docking Station, which will restore and regenerate the Police Section House into a thriving creative hub in partnership with the University of Kent’s iCCi and Medway Council, is expected to support 40 new jobs and contribute nearly £2 million of GVA annually when fully occupied.
Richard Morsley, Chief Executive, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust said, “During the year where we have commemorated the 40th anniversary of the closure of the working Dockyard and the establishment of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, this latest research reaffirms the vital role the Historic Dockyard plays in the economies of Medway and Kent. These findings demonstrate our significant contributions to local employment and the support we provide to local businesses and services. The Dockyard is, and will continue to be, far more than a heritage site commemorating the past; it is a thriving hub for business, culture, and community, essential in supporting the economic vitality of the area.”
Cllr Vince Maple, Medway Council leader said, “The Historic Dockyard Chatham is an integral part of Medway – not just as a cornerstone of our tourism and visitor economy, but as a treasured place that helps form our very identity. Its transformation in the last 40 years has been truly remarkable and we’re proud that the Historic Dockyard has become established as one of the leading tourism destinations in the South East, putting Medway on the map, providing essential jobs and helping to boost our economy.
“The Dockyard makes a significant contribution to Medway’s annual GVA, which totals almost £7 billion, and as a popular film location, it helps promote us to a national and international audience. But it’s far more than a historical location – the unique Docking Station project will help drive the cultural and creative sector, becoming a thriving hub where we can cultivate creative digital skills and give a new platform for business in the area. It is the home to hundreds of businesses from across many different economic sectors. I also welcome the Dockyard’s role as one of the signatories to the important One Medway Charter – our hugely important agreement to work together to drive social and economic change in Medway.”
As The Historic Dockyard Chatham continues to broaden its influence and grow its audiences, the Trust remains dedicated to its vision of being a world-leading maritime heritage destination. Committed to preserving its 400-year history and sharing its stories with the widest possible audience, the Trust also actively pursues innovative strategies to enhance its resilience and drive economic growth within Medway and Kent.
Click here to find out more about The Historic Dockyard Chatham.
