Living And Working In Gillingham

Gillingham is a large town in Kent which is a county in South East England and borders Greater London on one side. Gillingham is approximately 35 miles from London and therefore takes advantage of the major motorways and regular rail services and of course all of the London airports are easily accessible. Situated on the seventy mile long River Medway which flows to the Thames Estuary,  Gillingham is one of five towns in the area of Medway.

The history of Gillingham dates back as far as the tenth century and has always enjoyed strong ties with the nearby Royal Navy Dockyard which was once famed for shipbuilding and employed many people - it is estimated up to 10,000 at one time. In fact Lord Nelson's ship ‘Victory’ was crafted here and Charles Dickens's father worked as a clerk here! However, having closed in the mid 1980’s it has now been transformed into a maritime visitor centre namely the Chatham Historic Dockyard which is now a significant landmark and popular attraction.

Gillingham is part of the Medway unitary authority which also includes the towns of Rochester, Chatham, Rainham and Strood. The diverse economy benefits from its strategic location with accessible transport networks and a range of industries and Gillingham continues to be influenced by various economic factors typical of the broader Medway region.

The town has a range of retail establishments including a large shopping centre and numerous local shops in the town centre. Retail remains a significant employer in the area. Educational institutions such as MidKent College and the University of Greenwich’s Medway campus contribute to the local economy by providing jobs and attracting students from outside of the region. The health sector is supported by the Medway Maritime Hospital and various healthcare services which are key employers. Historically significant in Gillingham, manufacturing and engineering continue to play a role although these sectors have seen a few changes over the years with a focus on advanced manufacturing technologies and engineering services.  There has been ongoing investment in infrastructure and housing projects in Gillingham contributing to the local economy and addressing the demand for residential and commercial properties.  

Being an important retail centre, Gillingham hosts regular  markets and Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre has over fifty stores which also includes many well known restaurants. Some of the numerous attractions that are definitely worth visiting are the Royal Engineers Museum which is interestingly the only designated museum in Kent which is of national importance, Chatham Naval Memorial, Capstone Farm Country Park and Riverside Country Park.

Of course, you can not visit Gillingham without being compelled to explore the glorious coastlines nearby. In fact, within the whole of Kent, you will find no less than fifty beaches. The surrounding countryside, including the North Downs and the Kent Downs, offers outdoor enthusiasts ample opportunity for recreational activities.

There is an array of architecture in Gillingham and this is reflected in the property market. Its close proximity to London makes it an excellent choice for commuters and Gillingham is known for being a wise choice for property investments.

Overall, Gillingham’s blend of urban convenience, cultural heritage and natural beauty make it an attractive and welcoming place in which to live and work.

The next event being hosted by the UK Careers Fair will be held on September 5th between 10am - 2pm. The venue is Priestfield Stadium, ME7 4DD. This stadium, located in the heart of Gillingham, is the home of Gillingham Football Club.