In a bold move to revolutionise the UK’s tech landscape, entrepreneur David De Min is spearheading an ambitious project to transform the historic Dover Citadel into what is being hailed as Britain’s first Silicon Valley village.
The 245-year-old Napoleonic fort, perched on the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, is set to undergo a dramatic overhaul, aiming to become a high-tech hub, luxury tourist destination, and a symbol of innovation.
Mr De Min, who purchased the 33-acre fortress from the Ministry of Justice three years ago for £1.8 million, envisions a world-renowned centre for both business and tourism.
He told MailOnline: “This place has stood for 245 years, first as a foreboding fortress protecting the country and later as a place of incarceration. My hope is that, going forward, teachers will start pointing up and saying: ‘If you’re good, you may be lucky enough to work there.’ I want to make it a place to inspire and innovate.”
The Dover Citadel’s transformation is nothing short of ambitious. Plans include the development of a Dragons’ Den-style tech hub, a luxury hotel, a wellness spa, and a vertical indoor farm.
Mr De Min is also considering a whiskey distillery, an arts venue, and a concert space within the Citadel’s mile-long dry moat, potentially turning it into one of the world’s most unique event locations.
With estimates for the project’s completion ranging between £200 million and £500 million, the entrepreneur is actively securing funding from various investors, including undisclosed Emirati Royals. He has already received a £1 million grant from the UK Government’s Getting Building Fund, intended to support regions hit hardest by the pandemic.
The Citadel, originally built in 1775 as the first line of defense against Napoleon Bonaparte, has served various purposes over the centuries, including as a military barracks and later as a prison.
Its 54 buildings, spanning 220,000 square feet above ground and 30,000 square feet below, are now poised to house cutting-edge tech startups and research facilities. The former prison block, currently used as a film set, will be redeveloped into state-of-the-art office spaces.
The project has generated mixed reactions from locals.
“Attracting luxury clientele is not going to affect any of us on the high street,” Fiona, a customer service assistant for travel agent TUI, told the Sunday Times.
“The town is dying on its feet”, Heather Horne, 64, who runs Stanley’s coffee bar and lounge, argued. “Anything that brings something to Dover would be brilliant.”
David De Min’s vision for the Dover Citadel marks a significant shift in the UK’s approach to technology and business, setting the stage for a potential economic revival in this historic seaside town.
“Dover is the entry point into the UK from the continent, and I want to show Europe and the world that Britain is still thriving when it comes to technology”, he said.