Topping out ceremony marks key milestone for multi million pound Bench building in Dover

A topping out ceremony was held today (8 September) to mark a key milestone in the multi million pound landmark development of the Bench building in Dover, as part of the transformational Dover Beacon project.  

Representatives from Dover District Council and a range of partners joined together to mark the pivotal topping out stage of this exciting development, signifying the completion of the highest point of the new Bench building.

Invited guests for the day included representatives from contractors Jenner, and funders from Central Government (MHCLG), as well as partners set to move into the building.    

The Dover Beacon project is set to deliver over £90m of economic benefit, bringing investment to boost jobs, skills, and educational opportunities across the district, with the new Bench building providing a catalyst for future investment in the area.

The Bench building is set to include a landmark further education campus, business centre and creative centre. Final stages of the building work are set to be completed in spring 2026, when the building is to be handed to tenants for fitting out works.

The topping out ceremony comes just ten months after the groundbreaking ceremony took place in November 2024, which marked the start of construction work on this major project.

Cllr Kevin Mills, Leader of Dover District Council said: “We are delighted to see this topping out ceremony take place, and to welcome and thank all our partners as we celebrate the excellent progress made on construction of this landmark building. This is fantastic news that will provide an incredible boost to Dover and the area, supporting regeneration, providing business and creative spaces, and creating exciting new jobs, and access to education, training and skills opportunities for young people.”

For more information, please see the DDC website at www.dover.gov.uk/regeneration

Notes:

The Dover Beacon project is funded by two key funding streams, combined to deliver creative solutions for the future of the town, and includes:   

• A creative centre and underpass improvements with £3.2m of funding from the Future High Street Fund, together with a £1.7m commitment from DDC
• An education campus, business start-up centre, and improved public realm with £18.1m funding awarded from the Levelling Up Fund, together with £1.8m from DDC.