Discover what’s planned for Royal Victoria Place
Shaped by extensive public engagement over three years involving more than 8,000 people, plans for Royal Victoria Place are moving forward, focusing on improvements to Palm Court and Ely Court that will bring more reasons to visit, meet friends and spend time in the heart of Tunbridge Wells.
Explore this website to find out what’s planned, read the latest updates and stay informed as the proposals progress.
What do the plans include?
A fresh look for Palm Court
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A new energy-efficient roof inspired by Victorian glass palm houses.
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Improved spaces for shops and restaurants, helping attract more of the brands you’ve told us you’d like to see.
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New toilets and more accessible facilities to make your visit easier and more comfortable.
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A refreshed central space with better lighting, new flooring and updated finishes.
A new place to meet, eat and enjoy a film at Ely Court
Plans for a three-screen boutique cinema and five new restaurants respond to what you’ve told us you’d love to see in town.
The ambition is to create a welcoming place to meet friends, enjoy dinner and catch a film, with more reasons to spend time in town during the day and into the evening. Together, these proposals aim to support the town’s future while making careful use of public money.
Together, these changes will help to increase footfall, support local businesses and strengthen the evening economy in Royal Tunbridge Wells.
Current Status
Proposals to transform Ely Court will be submitted for planning by the end of 2026, while the Palm Court proposals are set to be considered by Full Council on 11 November 2026.