FAQ’s

In addition to the improving retail offer, (RVP) has become a more active community hub with over 50 free events hosted in the centre over the last 12 months. Support has been provided for 50+ charities and community organisations across 64 events with more than £100,000 raised for charitable causes.

The plan is to transform Royal Victoria Place (RVP) into a more vibrant, mixed-use destination that is active throughout the day and into the evening. The proposals – shaped by strong public engagement – focus on:

• Improvements to the existing retail offer and environment at Palm Court
• A multi-screen boutique cinema to meet long-standing demand, alongside new restaurants, cafés, and leisure spaces at Ely Court

 These changes will help to increase footfall, support local businesses, and strengthen the evening economy in Royal Tunbridge Wells. The Palm Court elements have now been submitted for planning approval, and was validated on the 13^th May 2026. The planning application reference number is – 26/01029/FULL.

A separate residential development at Market Square has also been explored in previous engagement periods, However, it has been decided that this will be carried forward separately, as additional research and engagement is needed to ensure the best possible offer is provided and the proposals mees future demands. The decision to decouple the Market Square residential proposals also came from the desire to not hold back the other aspects of the redevelopment of RVP, and so the residential proposals are progressing separately to enable the Palm Court and Ely Court proposals to progress.

The Palm Court application focuses on creating a modern, high-quality space that attracts new businesses and improves the overall visitor experience. Key elements include:

• Upgraded retail units: Most shop units around Palm Court (Upper and Lower Malls) will be improved to provide higher-quality space that meets current retailer demand.
• New space for shops, dining, and leisure: Up to 22,000 sq ft of new space could be created by converting the former food court into retail, restaurant, or community leisure uses.
• A full refurbishment of the central atrium, Including new flooring, glass balustrades, and removal of the outdated scenic lift , to open up views and create a brighter and modern environment for 21^st century tenant demand and visitor experience.
• Improved facilities: New, modern, and more accessible toilets at Upper Mall level, designed to be easier and more convenient to use.
• Better sustainability: Investment in building systems to improve energy efficiency and environmental performance through investment in upgrades such as a new roof and solar panel.

There is already strong interest from retailers, with the Council’s agents, Cushman & Wakefield, working to secure new tenants.

The proposals for Ely Court are to deliver a new three-screen boutique cinema and leisure destination, located above five new family-focused restaurant units (designed flexibly to respond to future tenant demands), together creating an all-day and evening venue.

The proposals sensitively retain the distinctive Friendly Societies Building frontage on Camden Road as part of the town’s historic fabric, integrating it into the architecture of the new landmark building, alongside high-quality public realm and placemaking initiatives.

As well as improving and future-proofing the eastern end of Royal Victoria Place, the project responds to a clear ambition to return a purpose-built cinema to Royal Tunbridge Wells town centre, responding to more than 25 years of unmet demand for a town centre cinema.

While there is an existing film offer in Tunbridge Wells, with the Odeon and Trinity Theatre showing films as part of its wider programme, feedback over several years has consistently shown that people want a modern, town-centre cinema experience – one that is easy to access, offering a first release programme, and part of a wider evening out. This would be a multi-screen boutique cinema, rather than a large out-of-town multiplex. It is designed to fit sensitively within the town centre in a currently underperforming location (Ely Court). The cinema will complement the current film offer in Tunbridge Wells, rather than compete. The development will also complement nearby restaurants, cafés, and leisure venues and help create a more vibrant evening economy in Royal Tunbridge Wells.

A cinema has been one of the main requests in multiple rounds of public engagement, including a targeted survey of under-35s in January 2024.

From 2,860 responses to a digital survey asking people across the borough what they would like to see in the town centre, 67.8% of respondents chose a cinema as their answer.

The Council is committed to working collaboratively with Trinity Theatre. The intention is to ensure film scheduling complements rather than competes with that offered by Trinity Theatre, creating a mutually beneficial relationship that supports both venues and broadens the overall cultural offer in the town.

The Council is currently in discussions with a number of experienced, market-leading cinema operators, and there is strong interest in the project.

However, it is still too early to confirm a specific occupier. Greater certainty is needed around the Ely Court planning process as in March 2026, Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society asked Historic England (HE) to consider listing the Friendly Societies Building.

To help speed up the process, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) submitted a Certificate of Immunity from Listing (COIL) application. This allows Historic England to assess the building and make a recommendation to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) within around 14 weeks.

This was the only available route to secure a quicker decision on the listing request. Reaching a decision as soon as possible is important, as it will provide the certainty needed for the Council to progress designs and secure key tenants for the future of the site.

Once those stages are further progressed, the Council will be in a stronger position to announce the chosen operator.

Yes. The scheme has been advised throughout by a leading cinema industry expert with extensive experience of the UK leisure and cinema market. Through ongoing engagement with a range of cinema operators, clear demand has been identified for a cinema with Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Importantly, operators have indicated a willingness to make significant capital investment in the venue, demonstrating both commercial confidence in the location and belief in the long-term viability of the scheme. Such investment would only be undertaken where operators have undertaken their own assessment of market conditions, catchment demographics, and trading prospects.

The level of interest expressed by cinema operators therefore provides strong evidence that the proposed cinema use is commercially viable and capable of attracting an experienced operator to deliver and sustain the offer over the long term.

Since COVID, the cinema industry has been forced to evolve, with many successful operators now focusing on creating a more premium experience for customers.

The chosen operator will embody this approach, offering comfortable seating, high-quality food and drink and a welcoming environment that encourages those across the borough to spend more time in the top of town.

This style of cinema is performing well because it offers an experience that people cannot easily recreate at home, helping support lasting visitor numbers, demand and the evening economy. The council has been advised by experts who have identified leading operators in the market with whom we are engaging with and will make significant capital investment in the location.

TWBC has carried out extensive engagement to ensure the plans reflect a wide range of local views. Throughout, over 70% of respondents supported the proposed designs, recognising their role in revitalising Royal Victoria Place (RVP).

Engagement has included dedicated sessions with local businesses, RVP tenants, community and civic groups, accessibility representatives, and other stakeholders across Royal Tunbridge Wells.

In total:
• More than 8,000 people have taken part across four rounds of engagement
• Over 3,500 pieces of feedback have been received
• In the most recent phase (March 2026), 600+ people attended public events and 215 feedback forms were submitted

Businesses currently in Ely Court are defined as short term lets, offering small and start-up businesses the opportunity to develop while the longer-term future of the centre is considered. The lease entered into by these businesses reflects this and they will need to relocate. We are discussing future opportunities in the shopping centre with them, but they may need to relocate to another town centre location.

The current programme aims for the Palm Court improvements to be completed by 2029. The Ely Court phase of the development needs to undergo further design review, and the Market Square phase is currently under review pending outcome of investigations into the community need.

The Victoria Snooker Club is a popular private members club which leases and uses the upper floors of the Friendly Societies Hall for its activities. The Ely Court phase of the development will mean that the snooker club cannot remain in its current premises and so it will need to move. The Council have been trying to help the club to find alternative premises in the town.

Market Square is being explored as a separate phase considering its feasibility, to see how it impacts the current buildings and users on the square.  As a separate phase this allows more time to review and ensure the right decision is made in proposing a scheme for this sensitive town centre site and carefully considering how existing community uses, including those within the Camden Centre, could be relocated or supported elsewhere. Because further discussions are needed, the plans for Market Square were decoupled so to not delay the other aspects of the RVP redevelopment.

With a focus on the phases redeveloping RVP, before any further work is progressed on Market Square, there will be further engagement with current users and stakeholders to understand their needs and discuss next steps in Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Sustainability is a key part of the proposals, with a focus on reducing energy use, lowering emissions, and ensuring the development performs well over the long term.

Subject to planning approval, the scheme will be designed to be highly energy efficient from day one. It will be all-electric, using heat pumps for heating and cooling, alongside rooftop solar panels to generate renewable energy. The design will also prioritise low-carbon materials and re-use parts of the existing structure wherever possible.

The Council will also take a transparent and responsible approach to performance by:

• Undertaking and publishing a whole-life carbon assessment
• Carrying out post-occupancy evaluations to ensure the building performs as intended
• Publicly reporting energy performance data
• Working with contractors who prioritise circular economy principles, including reducing construction waste

The development is targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating, a recognised benchmark for sustainable buildings.

Overall, these measures will help reduce environmental impact while creating a more efficient, future-ready Royal Victoria Place in Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Protecting the historic character of the town centre is a key priority despite there being no listed buildings within the area of the proposed redevelopment of RVP. The plans for the redevelopment of Royal Victoria Place (RVP) are designed to respect and preserve the unique architectural heritage of Royal Tunbridge Wells, particularly within the top-of-town Conservation Area, and no listed building will be impacted  by the redevelopment. This will be achieved by:

• Retaining original building frontages wherever possible
• Protecting important views and sight lines across the area
• Carefully integrating new elements – such as the proposed cinema – so they fit naturally within the existing streetscape

By maintaining these defining features, the aim is to deliver modern improvements while respecting the historic fabric and visual identity of the town centre.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has applied for a Certificate of Immunity from Listing (COIL) application for the Friendly Societies Building in response to the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society asking Historic England (HE) to consider listing the Friendly Societies Building.

Current estimates of the proposed scheme suggest that improvements to Royal Victoria Place (RVP) – focused on Ely Court, Palm Court and Market Square – could cost between £42 million and £68 million (as of June 2025).

The final cost will depend on how the scheme is delivered and refined through the design and planning process. The Council is continuing to review options to ensure the project remains affordable, deliverable, and generates enough income to cover its costs over time.

The Council plans to fund the redevelopment project primarily through external borrowing, supported by a clear funding strategy.

This investment is expected to be self-financing over time, with repayments supported by:
• Income from new and existing Royal Victoria Place (RVP) tenants
• Increased business rates
• Additional car parking revenue
• Wider economic activity in the town centre

This means the project is designed to pay for itself without impacting existing Council services.

Yes – the Council’s assessments of the proposed scheme show the redevelopment of Royal Victoria Place (RVP) is financially and economically viable. Independent analysis by Amion Consulting confirms that the proposals deliver:

• Strong financial returns over the long term
• Significant wider economic and social benefits
• A more sustainable future for RVP

The Council will continue to review and update this analysis as designs for the redevelopment of RVP evolve.

Parts of Royal Victoria Place (RVP) – particularly Ely Court and Palm Court – are currently underperforming financially. Without significant investment, this position is expected to continue. Ely Court in particular would need investment even without the scheme proposed as the buildings would all need to be brought back into a fit state for occupation.

Taking action now allows the Council to reverse decline, increase footfall and tenant demand, improve long-term financial performance and create a better customer experience. The Council knew when it acquired RVP that immediate investment would be required and so doing nothing is not a viable option.

The redevelopment will deliver significant benefits for Royal Tunbridge Wells and the wider borough:

• Around 200 jobs during construction
• 235 long-term jobs once complete
• £7.7 million in construction-related economic value
• £17.8 million per year in ongoing economic activity

It will also attract new investment and businesses, increase visitor numbers and spend locally, support a stronger evening economy at the top of town and help retain more spending within the town centre.

Yes. The project is expected to generate income through rents and other sources, helping to repay borrowing, protect the Council’s investment and create funds to support other Council services.

In addition, the Council benefits from increased business rates, higher car parking income and growth in the overall value of Royal Victoria Place (RVP).

The Council is in a strong position compared to private developers because it can:

• Take a long-term view, rather than focusing on short-term profit or immediate commercial return
• Balance financial returns with social and economic benefits
• Borrow at lower interest rates and over longer periods

This allows investment decisions to support both the town centre and the wider community.

The Council has carefully considered refurbishment, but on its own this would not deliver the level of change needed to revitalise Royal Victoria Place (RVP).

Some buildings – particularly around Ely Court – were left in a poor and largely unusable condition following an earlier redevelopment scheme that did not proceed. While limited works were carried out, key areas such as Palm Court were not fully improved. As a result, many of these areas are currently operating at a negative net operating income (NOI) – meaning they cost more to run than they generate. Without significant change, this position is expected to continue.

Investment in refurbishment alone would also not address the fundamental limitations of the existing buildings:

• The layout cannot accommodate a boutique cinema, which has been strongly and consistently requested by local people
• The space is not suitable for a modern mix of retail, leisure, and dining
• Simple upgrades would not create the flexible, high-quality spaces needed to attract new tenants and enhance current space for existing tenants