Turner Works - The Coachworks

The Coachworks is a unique ‘meanwhile’ development that cleverly combines a co-working space and food and drink destination. Ashford Borough Council commissioned the renowned Turner Works to bring life into a group of disused industrial buildings at Dover Place.

Turner Works is best known for high profile community projects such as Pop Brixton and Peckham Levels, but also work across a range of different architectural projects. They have drawn on this experience to create an exciting new vision for the buildings.

The three-storey former corn store is now an affordable co-working space, complete with individual studios. The space is intended to foster experimentation and allow people to work alongside likeminded creatives.

The former Ashford Youth Theatre building was transformed into the ‘Hothouse’, a vibrant hub for food, drink and events. The space is available for community use throughout the day and event use by night.

The two distinct areas will be brought together by a courtyard, which will be a space for outdoor performances and a meeting place for young people, especially in the summer months.

Carl Turner, Director of Turner Works, said: “The public foyer space will be a destination – somewhere where people can meet people and hang out. Hopefully projects like this will keep young people in Ashford as they will be able to get that sense of creativity without having to travel to London.”

“Ashford Council have had the great foresight to look at these regeneration projects and realise the opportunity here with these buildings. We want it to be a creative epicentre for Ashford – linking in with young creative people and existing businesses. A hub for excellence and ideas in Ashford.”

The £850,000 development opened in 2019.