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Celebration after launch of The Bench building, home to new EKC Dover College Bench Street Arts Campus

9 September 2026
Jubilation was in the air in Dover as The Bench building, which contains EKC Dover College’s new Bench Street Arts Campus, was officially opened.

Jubilation was in the air in Dover as The Bench building, which contains EKC Dover College’s new Bench Street Arts Campus, was officially opened.

The new building was developed by Dover District Council as part of their Dover Beacon Project and was funded by the UK Government. In addition to the College, the creative centre plays host to a café run by Docker, creative agency Screen South, and a co-working space called Benchworks.

The building was opened by representatives from Dover District Council, East Kent Colleges Group, Screen South, Benchworks, and Docker

The College’s new campus at Bench Street teaches a range of creative courses, covering Art, Graphic Design, Media Production, Photography, and more – while also hosting an adult training centre run by EKC Training, which offers courses across Employability, Hospitality, Retail, and English for speakers of other languages.  

The new building is located in the heart of Dover's Town Centre

The College’s expansion into the new Campus comes on the heels of a 10-year-long effort to create opportunities for young people in the town.  

“It’s transformational, inspirational, and just really exciting,” said Lucy McLeod, the CEO of East Kent Colleges Group. 

“It’s really moving because when we first took over the College 10 years ago, as part of a takeover of K College, we worried about whether it was a sustainable College. 

Lucy McLeod is the CEO of East Kent Colleges Group

“Now, it’s the Group’s first College this year to go past its enrolment targets, and it’s growing, which is so exciting. 

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the students put their creative stamp on the building.” 

Also celebrating the launch of the building were representatives from Dover District Council, local industry stakeholders, and the other partners in residence in the building.  

Cllr Bekah Dawes is the Mayor of Dover and thinks the building and creative campus inside it will create amazing opportunities for Dover’s young people. 

Cllr Bekah Dawes is the Mayor of Dover


She said: “I’m envious, but I’m so excited to see what they can make, and how they use and harness all of the energy and capital that’s been invested into this place. 

“It’s a super inspiring space, and I think even that is a limited way to describe it. 

“It’s inspiring because you walk in it’s so grand that it makes you believe that you can be more, and you can do more.  

“I think for an education environment, having that space helps you to think, and achieve.” 

To find out more about the new EKC Dover College Bench Street Arts Campus, click here.