SSK Hair & Beauty: a new chapter at Chatham Waterfront

As new homes, businesses and public spaces take shape around Chatham Waterfront, the area is creating new opportunities for established businesses and attracting new investment to the town. 

One of those businesses is SSK Hair & Beauty, which opened its new salon at Ardent Wharf in April 2026.

SSK has been operating for more than 10 years, serving customers across Medway and Kent with a wide range of hair and beauty services. The business specialises in styling for different hair types and textures, along with extensions, wigs, braiding, and treatments. A Japanese head spa room is opening shortly, and it also provides a private wig consultation. This discreet and confidential service provides expert advice from a wig specialist for those experiencing hair loss.

Owner Michelle previously worked in Chatham, but this is her first salon in the town centre. The new location brings the established local business into a new commercial space alongside the homes and public spaces being delivered as part of Chatham Waterfront.

Michelle said: “It is brilliant what they are doing, regenerating the area. It’s great to see the new homes and businesses coming into the area and improvements to the open spaces.”

For Michelle, the changes taking place around the waterfront were an important part of the appeal of the location.

“I really like the area. It’s a lovely location for the salon, and I’m really happy to be here.” 

SSK is one example of how new commercial space can support existing local businesses while bringing a wider range of services into an evolving part of Chatham. With homes and businesses being delivered alongside each other, the waterfront is becoming a place where people can live, work and access local services.

The investment extends beyond the waterfront. At Mountbatten House, The New Tide is bringing a former office building back into use as new homes, alongside commercial opportunities and improvements to the public realm.

Together, these schemes form part of the continued investment in Chatham, supporting its existing business community while creating places for people to live, work and spend time. 

For businesses such as SSK Hair & Beauty, the changes are creating new opportunities to be part of Chatham's next chapter.

Find out more about The New Tide and Medway Development Company’s wider programme of new homes.