Plans for new homes, a boutique cinema, and enhanced retail and leisure released.
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) has unveiled its emerging proposals for the redevelopment of Royal Victoria Place (RVP), marking the next step in transforming the site into a more vibrant mixed-use destination at the heart of the town centre. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to view the proposals and share their feedback to help shape the future of Royal Victoria Place.
Shaped by extensive community engagement, the outline designs and new imagery showcase plans for a boutique cinema and new leisure uses at Ely Court, a revitalised Palm Court with improved retail and community leisure space, and new homes around Market Square. Together, these proposals aim to unlock redevelopment potential, support the local economy, deliver tangible community benefits, and secure the Council’s long-term investment in the town centre.
A dedicated design team has developed the emerging concepts. These will form the focus of a new round of public engagement running from 27 November to 12 December. During this period, a public exhibition will take place within RVP, giving local residents, businesses, stakeholders, and community groups the opportunity to view the initial plans, meet the project team, and share their feedback. At this stage, we are sharing details about the proposed buildings, their locations, the surrounding public realm, and the benefits they will bring to Tunbridge Wells.
The public exhibition will take place in Unit 43, Royal Victoria Place, Upper Mall, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2SS (located next to The Perfume Shop and A Few Good Men Barbers) on:
- Friday 28 November (2pm to 5pm)
- Saturday 29 November (10am to 2pm)
- Saturday 6 December (10am to 2pm)
Full details of the proposals being presented at the exhibition can also be viewed online at rvpfuture.com, where a digital feedback form is available for sharing comments and views until 12 December.
Cllr Justine Rutland, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Chair of the Investment Advisory Panel, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, said:
“This is an exciting moment for Royal Victoria Place. Local feedback is fundamental to ensuring our vision for the scheme aligns with that of the community. This public exhibition will showcase our emerging plans to revive and rejuvenate the centre. We would like to encourage everyone to visit and provide feedback to help inform the next stage of the design process.”
This phase of engagement builds on earlier rounds of activity which included a social media survey that captured views from under 35s on preferred brands and uses, helping to shape the current scheme.
There was a three-week engagement in May 2025 which gathered comments from the public. These informed the recommendation in the feasibility study which was presented to Full Council and guided its decision in July to progress with the preferred option. This option is now being designed in detail and comments from the public are welcomed on these designs.
Following this stage, detailed designs will be shared in spring 2026, reflecting community feedback ahead of a planning application targeted for submission around Easter 2026.